Dacia was trapped in the memory of the worst day of her life. She stepped out of the quarantine room at the hospital. Amethyst had saved the day. Stacey and the white-haired nymph were awake, taint free.
Everyone was in awe of Amethyst and chattered excitedly in the hall. Then Amethyst and Hayden stepped out of the room and the praise started.
If Dacia hadn’t also been impressed, she would have rolled her eyes.
Amethyst backed into Hayden with a shy mumble, “Crap, Don’t look at me like that.”
Time slowed as the elevator doors opened and quiet, conservative Darla walked in. Izackarus’ taint had changed her. Dull brown hair was now inky black, and her warm brown eyes onyx. Without warning, the shadow fae slashed a scalpel down his host’s wrist.
Dacia phased out, and reformed to catch Darla. Her hand wrapped around the wounded arm.
Before she could push healing energy at Darla, Izackarus flowed into Dacia’s hand and wrapped around her, delving into her skin. The monster twisted his way into her head, taking control.
He forced her to drop Darla as Clint charged toward her.
Dacia tried to force him away, but was trapped in the far corner of her mind as he pushed anger and hate at everyone he passed on his way out of the hospital.
Izackarus took her back to her house and started exploring. She tried to lock down her mental floor plan but he had access to everything in her memory.
He stopped in the living room to breathe in all of her left over emotions, and the sick fuck started cackling. Once again she tried to wrest control from him, but he mentally flung her back as he directed her body up the stairs to the hidden cache of her cursed daggers.
No, no, no, mother fucker, no! she screamed in her head.
Robert popped into the hall, and Zack grabbed a dagger before dispersing her body and flowing through the house.
They found Preston and Amethyst outside near the car, quietly arguing.
Preston murmured, “Let them corner her.”
“It won’t work,” Amethyst insisted in a whisper. “You saw the way he disappeared. He’ll wait until I’m alone or there aren’t as many of you.”
Izackarus’ laughter filled her head as Amethyst’s eyes went wide. “Like right freaking now!” She spun and started for the front door.
Preston reached for Amethyst and Izackarus forced Dacia into her form. She fought but she didn’t stand a chance.
Without turning to see their advance, Preston slammed his elbow back with a curse. He spun around as flame filled his palm and fisted her hair, setting it on fire.
Dacia’s voice leaked through as she screamed in pain.
The horror flashing through Preston’s eyes shredded Dacia’s heart. Izackarus slashed out with the dagger, cutting Preston’s chest open. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from his exposed ribs, lungs, and beating heart.
Amethyst tried to grab the dagger and rip it free, but Izackarus shook her off.
Preston didn’t let go. Dacia’s shirt caught fire and the heat flowed up her face. Izackarus tried to escape and dive into Preston but was flung back into Dacia.
Frantic, Izackarus tried to spin away, but Preston’s blade sliced into Dacia’s cheek a second before he managed to disperse. She watched horrified as Preston stumbled back and slid down the tree.
Dacia screamed in her head, wanting to go back and heal the damage, take the curse, and fix what Izackarus did.
* * * *
Something warm shifted between his thighs, waking his desire.
Dacia.
Her arms tightened around him, her nails digging into his skin. Then she jerked with a whimper. A sob ripped from her. “No, let me fix it. Let me take it back.”
Preston scooped her into his arms as he sat up and rocked her. “Minx, wake up.” He brushed her hair from her face, and drew the back of his knuckles down her scar. “Please, wake up.”
Her eyes fluttered open and her arms wound around his neck as tears fell on his shoulder.
“You had a nightmare. I’ve got you. Everything’s okay.”
She shook her head, sniffling. “I nearly killed you.”
“No. I’m right here. I’ve got you.”
“That night, oh fuck… that horrible night.”
“Shh, calm down. What night?”
Her hands flattened on his chest as she leaned back to look. Breathing in gasps, her eyes closed as big tears rolled down her face. “The night I nearly killed you.”
He caught her face in his hands. “That wasn’t you, Minx. You’ve got to let it go.” His lips grazed over hers in a tender caress.
She pressed her forehead. “I want to.”
He stroked her back. “I’m not leaving you.”
She nodded, snuggling into his body. “Sorry I woke you,” she whispered shakily.
“Don’t worry about it.” He combed his fingers through her hair in gentle strokes.
After a few minutes of calm, she nuzzled his neck. “Thank you.”
“Anytime,” he promised.
She leaned back to look into his eyes. “I believe you. It’s why I want to help you stop my father.”
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Robert’s not going to let that happen. It’s out of my hands.”
“That makes you happy, doesn’t it?” she challenged, but she leaned back to consider him with a slight smile.
“Truthfully, yeah. Right now, it’s best if your father thinks I’m some asshole trying to use you. Let him be blinded. I’m not, and I won’t. You getting involved will only put you in danger, because he’ll think he can get information from you.”
“I hate that you’re right. You’re already in danger. He really doesn’t like you.”
Preston nodded. “Comes with my job. I can’t do much about that. Even if I quit, there would still be people who want me to pay for locking them up. My mom is in hiding after quitting the Council. That’s no way to live.”
“Will you at least continue to talk to me, about what you’re doing with your cases?”
“There will be times I can’t, but I’ll tell you what I can when I can.”
She nodded. “Deal. You have to work today, don’t you?” Her nose wrinkled. “And you won’t tell me what you have to do, will you?”
“I do, and I can’t right now.”
“Be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Same goes for you, Minx.” He sighed. “I really should get moving. I promised Robert an early start.”
“You’ll call me later?” Her eyes were full of hope.
He captured her face and brushed his thumbs over her cheeks. “You can count on it. Now that I have you, I don’t want to let you go.”
“Then head out, before I talk you into another round.” Leaning in, she gave him a soft kiss before climbing out of his lap.
Desire washed over him as he looked up at her beautiful body aglow with the sunlight streaming through the window. Slamming his eyes shut, he groaned. “Shit, I really need to meet Robert. Put something on before I get lost in everything I want to do to you.”
“You’re making this awfully hard,” she whimpered.
“No, that’s all you, Minx.”
Her breath caught, then utter silence followed.
He opened his eyes slowly to find her gone, but he felt her close. Probably changing. He quickly pulled his clothes on, and waited for her to come back down. He needed to taste her lips one last time.
His phone buzzed, and he pressed talk, expecting Robert’s call. “Hey, I’m not late yet.”
“You aren’t. I wanted to make sure you’re not hung-over again.”
“Haha, very funny. I didn’t even have a drink last night. I was too busy with my woman.”
Robert groaned. “Don’t need that image in my head. Thanks to all the memories, I may never scrub my mind free of the two of you.”
Preston laughed out loud. “I’d say sorry, but it’s payback for having you in my head in the first place.”
“At your request,” Robert reminded.
“Yesterday, sure, but not back when we were kids and I was playing guinea pig while you learned your craft.”
“You have a point there,” he grumbled. “How long before I should meet you?”
“Not long. How about I stop by your place to pick you up?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Dacia came down in a robe as he slid his phone into his pocket. Her smile brightened. “You didn’t leave yet?”
He rubbed the back of one hand. “Not without saying goodbye. Do you really think that poorly of me?”
“I’m not used to this kind of attention, Preston.” She moved closer and took his hands in hers. “I’m trying not to expect the worst. You’re different, but…” she looked away with a sigh.
“But you haven’t been…” he wanted to say one word, but was sure she’d bolt, so he switched directions, “appreciated?”
She nodded as her attention came back to him.
He shook his head. “Give me a chance, Dacia. That’s all I ask.” He kissed her briefly. “I need to pick up Robert. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye, Ember.”
His brow arched as he took a step toward the door. “Ember?”
“You’re warming my heart, and if you aren’t careful, you’ll set me on fire.”
A smile pulled at his lips. “Tonight, Minx.” With that he slipped out the door.
* * * *
I’m in a world of trouble. I can’t resist him.
After she watched Preston walk to his car and drive away, she hurried upstairs to rush through getting ready. In record time, she was dressed in her usual designer clothes. For a second she paused, wondering what Preston preferred her in.
Nude, most likely. What does he really see in me?
Dispersing, she made a trip to Dane’s. Her brother always had the best advice, even if she didn’t usually listen. This time, she would, as long as he didn’t tell her to avoid Preston.
She reformed on Dane’s porch and knocked softly. He’d hear.
A moment later, Dane opened the door. He sniffed the air, then leaned in to sniff her. “You smell like a mage. You hooking up with Preston?”
“Something like that. Can we talk?”
Eyes rounding, he stepped back and swept his arm inside. “Of course. Will you listen though?”
She nodded, her tone serious. “That’s why I’m here.”
“Has he hurt you?” he growled.
“Oh no, he hasn’t.” Her arms wrapped around herself. “He’s different. I’m falling—hard. I think he’s the one. How do I keep him?”
“Is he running?”
Her shoulder lifted in a shrug. “Only to catch me when I bolt.”
Dane nodded to the couch. “Sit down. Let’s talk.” He put his arm around her shoulders and sat down beside her. “He’s getting under your skin, isn’t he?”
She nodded. “I want him there. It feels right. Better than anything. It’s getting serious.”
“So what’s wrong?”
“He wants me, all of me.”
“Then let him have you. He was good with Jamie—”
Dacia growled, pulling away to turn toward him.
Laughing, he held his hands up in surrender. “Calm down. Shit, just listen.”
She nodded, but her temper didn’t cool.
“When Jamie and Preston broke up, he didn’t turn around and chase her. They’re still friends, but he let her go. If he’s chasing you, it’s more than a bootie call. He feels something. He’s the type of guy who doesn’t take anything too seriously until it’s the real thing. Give him a chance.”
She smiled. “That’s what he keeps asking for. I hope I don’t wind up being too much for him.”
“He chased you, hard, and he only seems more interested since he caught you. That means something. You could potentially fuck it up, but I saw you with him last night. Seems to me you two belong together.”
“Exactly, I can still fuck everything up. I will—I always do.” She took a deep breath and let it out in a huff.
Dane growled slightly. “I’ll kick his ass if he turns his back on you before you’re ready to let him go.”
She snorted a laugh. “You never offered that for Brody or Hayden. What makes you think you can stand up against a mage?”
“You didn’t smile like this for them. You wanted them, but you didn’t need them. A whole different ballpark.”
“He’d kick your ass, Dane.”
“You’re my baby sister, and I’ve got your back. Maybe he can kick my ass, but I’ll make him hurt first.”
“Let’s hope that’s not necessary.”
“I don’t think it will be.”
She smacked his chest lightly. “Then stop stressing.”
Dominique slipped through the front door as she started unbuttoning her dress. She froze when she saw Dacia. “Um, should I come back?” she asked with a giggle.
Dacia shook her head. “Have at him. I need to go pick up Lincoln. I promised we would have brunch and discuss putting his mother’s house on the market. Have fun.” She turned back to Dane who pulled her into a hug.
“Good luck.”
She squeezed back. “Thank you for the talk, Dane. Really.”
“Anytime, Sis.”
* * * *
After stopping by home to get ready for the day, Preston walked up the steps to Liz’s. He was wracking his brain to figure out the best way to track down Remus. There was no sign of him, and the wards he set at the Deception Pass hideout hadn’t been tripped. He hoped the bastard would go there first so Robert could zap them both back there and they could have the whole mess over with.
Tremaine opened the door and nodded inside. “Hey, Preston. Robert has breakfast ready. He’s expecting another long day.”
“Sorry. Got to catch the inter-dimensional scumbag. Before he does something to his daughter, or anyone else.”
“Call if you need me. We’ll keep her safe.”
“Thanks, man. And I may have a few questions for you later, about my mom. First, I need to talk to Robert.”
Tremaine’s brow arched. “I’m intrigued, but I’m due at the bookstore. Anything you need, I’ll share.” He dipped his head before ducking out the door.
Preston walked back to the kitchen where Robert sat at the table. There was a plate and a cup of coffee ready for him. He slid into the seat. “Thank you.”
“Figured we could eat while we come up with a game plan.”
“Perfect. I skipped breakfast.” He picked up a piece of bacon and took a bite. “I have no clue where to start. Fucker hasn’t been back to his place on Whidbey yet. We have a whole list of locations to check.”
“I’m worried about why he went to your mother’s in the first place.”
“It’s no secret I’ve been looking for him. Dacia said as much. He thinks I’m using her to find him.”
“Maybe we’re being too smart about how we’re looking for him. He usually does the most asinine thing.”
“Good point. Like lingering at his office instead of a hideout. No one in their right mind would have stayed so close after what he did to that woman a few weeks ago. Someone was bound to find out sooner or later.” Preston started on the hash browns. “Somehow I don’t think he’s stupid enough to go to Faerie.”
“With the Elder Guard? Yeah, he has to know that’s out.”
Preston nodded gravely. “What about Lamar? In that stack of papers, Remus had connections with the Dales, and the Dales used Lamar.” He dropped his fork as he perked up. “Shit, I bet that’s how he found my mother. Fucking hell.” He pulled out his phone.
“Who are you calling?”
“Gwen Fate. She’s still assigned to watch Lamar. Maybe she can do some investigating. After we’re done eating, you can take me to a few more hideouts, and maybe we can find a lead on his location.”