9

Tessa could hardly wait until the witch, Delia, was gone. After she was sure the she-devil had departed, she ran to the main room where a fire crackled in the large fireplace. If memory served her correctly, and it usually didn’t, she could try to connect with Crone. All she had to do was cast the right spell.

She snorted. “When have I ever worked a spell correctly?” Several times. Okay, maybe a couple? More like once or twice if she were lucky. This time, however, her life depended on it.

Her gut twisted. If she failed, she would be stuck here forever. She shivered and rubbed her arms. It wasn’t the chill that got to her but fear. She wasn’t so stupid to realize that Delia was much more powerful than her. She looked up to the ceiling.

“May the ancestors be with me and help guide my magic.” She knelt on the warm stone floor in front of the fire and rubbed her palms together. Closing her eyes, she pulled up Crone’s face, imagined they were on the beach together, and he was kissing her. Butterflies filled her stomach and desire her sex.

“Phasse dydi, craraj. Ephufus ecimukius, shefar, ekrashick, korar, fraru, nablikien. Brypa nopakar, obreyiria, frosa. Cive fralia, hog, precryu, okrak, vadus.”

Power stirred, and she was afraid to open her eyes. Finally summoning her courage, she peered through barely open lids. Nothing. She rose to her feet when something caused her skin to prickle. Turning, she nearly jumped into the fire.

“Umm, you’re not Crone.”

The man standing there, wearing only a pair of jeans, smiled. “I can be whoever you wish, mistress. My name’s Darsam, but I’ll answer to Crone.”

Shit, shitty, shit, shit! She’d managed to summon a sex demon. Well, what had she expected when she was busy thinking of Crone and sex? “Look. Summoning you was a mistake. I meant for someone else.” Though she did have to admit, if not in such a predicament, he was hotter than Hell. Pun intended. Caramel-colored hair, tied back with a piece of leather, accentuated his smoldering golden eyes. Bronzed skin covered a muscular body that was made for pleasuring a woman and when her gaze dropped lower, there was no mistaking the enormous bulge in his pants. He was all kinds of yummy, but truth be told she only wanted Crone. Not because he was the one who could give back her Nana’s power, hence helping her break the curse, she simply wanted him. No, she craved him like a woman craved chocolate. There would be nothing stopping her until she was satisfied.

He took a step toward her. She skirted to the other side of the sofa.

“Since I’m the one who’s here, we could have some fun.” Another step.

“Told you, not interested.”

“I can make you interested. I promise I can do the most delightful things and have you coming in seconds.” Two steps.

Tessa darted across the room. This was a fine mess she’d gotten herself into and with no idea how to get out of it. Once summoned, a sex demon was bound to please his master or in this case his mistress. Unless she could send him back––which was about as likely as connecting with Crone––she’d be in a heap of trouble. No locked door would keep the demon away. Time to try and fix this mess.

“Brypa nopakar, obreyiria, frosa. Cive fralia, hog, precryu, okrak, vadus. Phasse dydi, craraj. Ephufus ecimukius, shefar, ekrashick, korar, fraru, nablikien.”

Damn, he was still there. What had she done?

BAAAAAA.

She felt her jaw unhinge as she spun around. “Oh mother... Son of a... Shit!”

“Ohh, how cute. A little goat,” Darsam stated.

She cast a sideways glare. “Shut it.”

The demon laughed, and oh how she wanted to punch something, but she wasn’t sure what. Maybe she’d start with the warlock who started this mess then move on to Crone. Though she was unsure why she wanted to hit him. Maybe it was because he stirred desires in her she hadn’t been prepared for, and the fact he was likely sleeping with that damn cat!

“What the hell did I expect?”

Darsam stared at her from the chair he’d planted himself in. “If I may make an observation.”

“No.”

“Well too bad.” He stifled a yawn, looking bored as ever. “Seems you’ve lost your heart to another man. Perhaps his name is Crone?”

Tessa snorted. “You’ve been here what, all of ten minutes?”

“I’m an observant demon. First off, a female never refuses me unless there’s another man. I can also assume since you were looking for a man named Crone when you summoned me that he must be the one who has stolen your heart.”

She crossed her arms and began to pace. “You don’t know shit. Crone is the Jinn who was supposed to protect me, yet here I am. Stuck in this”––she waved her hands around––“damn castle. I have a warlock who wants my power.”

Darsam raised a brow. “Really? Why would he want that? Seems you have the power of a child, not yet fully developed.”

The demon had no idea how correct he was. Tessa plopped into a chair and dropped her head into her hands. “I’m one hot mess.” She lifted her head, ready to spill to the man across from her. Hell, she might as well make use of his company. “I was cursed at birth to be taken by a warlock. He will strip my power, and then hand me over to a man of his choosing to father a daughter so the curse can continue. When he’s had his fill of me, he will kill me.”

“Damn. So how does this Crone fit into the picture?”

She gazed into the fire and watched the flames perform an erotic dance. Every time she thought of the Jinn, her body became as ignited as those flames. “My grandmother was also plagued by this same curse. Crone was a slave to the warlock, and he tried to save her life. On her last breath, she gave him what power she had left and called to the ancestors to grant him a mate. I am that mate. However, I’ve no intention of breaking the curse from the warlock then becoming mated to a Jinn. It would be like jumping from the caldron into the fire.” Why was she trying so hard to convince herself it wasn’t what she wanted?

The demon leaned closer. “This story gets more interesting. A real fairy tale. So how did you end up here?”

“A tiger shifter who wants my mate for herself.” There was that anger again, bubbling to the surface like hot lava, and oh how she’d like to burn that bitch.

“So, you say you don’t want to accept your mate. So why do you care if the cat has him?”

She jumped to her feet. “I’m going to bed.” She headed out of the room, the demon chuckling behind her. Yeah, her life was freaking hysterical.

Tessa tossed and turned all night, sleep evaded her as Darsam’s words repeated in her mind. Why did she care so much if Ares had Crone? She sat up and swung her feet to the cold floor. Last night she’d stumbled across this room. Apparently laid out for her. The dresser and closet held clothes exactly her size.

How convenient.

She walked to the vanity and sat on the stool, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Darkness circled her eyes and her skin was more pale than usual. Her hair, a mass of waves, looked like it hadn’t seen a brush in weeks. What would Crone see in her anyway? He’d likely be pissed to discover his chosen was a witch who couldn’t cast a spell to save her life and certainly was not even close to Ares sex appeal. The cat was stunning in both forms. Tessa wondered if he was kissing her at this very moment. Was he making love to her? She was sure Ares had gotten exactly what she wanted. Tessa looked down and her hands were shaking. She picked up the vase of flowers sitting on the vanity and threw them at the mirror. Her reflection cracked into tiny pieces.

The door flung open. “Are you...oh. You know that’s seven years of bad luck.” Darsam stated the obvious.

“Only if you believe in mortal superstitions. Besides, could my luck get any worse?” As if on cue to remind her of how inept she was, the goat entered and began nibbling the flowers that were strewn across the room. She jumped up and shooed the animal away. “Don’t eat those, there’s broken glass everywhere.” No sooner had the words spilled from her mouth than her foot landed right on a shard, digging into her heel.

“Oooowww. Holy mother of...” She hobbled, blood dripping, when she was suddenly scooped up and laid on the bed.

“You really are one hot mess,” Darsam noted as he examined her foot.

Tessa flopped back on the pillow, disgusted with herself. “Can you pull it out?” A shadow moved behind the demon. “Umm, what’s that?”

“Demon! Step away from the witch.”

Crone.

Darsam straightened and stepped aside so Tessa could see. A mirror portal was open and Crone’s angry face stared back at her. So, he’d been busy sleeping with the cat and now he thought to be angry with her?

“I stepped on some glass, and he was trying to help.” She pushed herself up to rest on her elbows.

“Clearly. If you wanted to get away with the demon, you only had to tell me. We’ve wasted a lot of time looking for you.”

She searched for a snappy comeback, but realized how things looked. “Crone, I’m trapped and umm, I can explain. I was trying to connect with you.” She picked at the blanket, suddenly caring that he knew she’d not slept with the demon.

“I see. So...”

BAAAAAA.

Both dark brows shot up. “Is that a goat?”

“Sorta. Yes.” She cast her gaze downward.

“Good lord woman. What is it with you and farm animals?”

Tessa straightened and lifted her chin. “I happen to like farm animals.”

He shook his head. “For the love of the gods, don’t perform any more witchcraft. Demon, step closer.” Darsam did as commanded until he stood directly in front of the mirror portal. “Good. Now I understand your situation. Unless you’d like to be skinned alive and have your man junk spread from one side of the universe to the other, I suggest you refrain from touching the witch until I get there. Understood?”

The demon nodded. “I’d like to keep my body parts intact, thank you.”

“Crone? I’ve no idea where I am, but Ares is behind this. She did say something about her family home.” She hated to tell him the shifter was responsible, but he needed to know. Okay, maybe a tiny part of her was more than thrilled to throw that bitch under the bus.

“Know this, witch. You’re mine and I’m coming to get you.” The portal slammed shut.

“I’d say you’ve just been claimed,” Darsam stated from a safe distance.

“Oh my.”

Crone slammed the portal shut before he totally lost his cool. His father came up behind him and squeezed his shoulders.

“Son, I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for a sex demon being in her company.”

“I’m sure there is.” His witch couldn’t cast her way out of a paper bag. Crone took in a slow, deep breath to help ease his anger. His witch. He had no claim on Tessa, even though he’d managed to find a witch who’d been willing to call upon their ancestors. After some herbs were burned along with chants, he had willingly accepted her as his mate. Once bonded, he had connected with her only to find her with another man. “We need to get her out of there, and then I’ll deal with Ares.”

“Would it be easier to simply ask Ares what’s going on and have her take you to Tessa?” Armand asked. Crone understood his brother was itching to get his wife back, and the thought of wasting time and energy on a rescue only made him more restless.

“You’re right. The rest of you concentrate on getting Kayla home, and I’ll deal with this.”

“As you wish, but call us if you need help,” Lazaro replied.

Crone shifted to smoke and headed for his own home, hoping Ares would be there. He found it difficult to comprehend why she would harm Tessa. When he arrived, he was relieved to see the tiger shifter sitting on the couch flipping through a magazine.

“Crone, I was getting worried about you.”

“Ares. We need to talk.” He fought to control his anger. She’d lied to him about Tessa’s whereabouts, but if he scared her then she’d likely flee.

She closed her magazine and placed it on the table. “Okay.”

He refused to sit, too uptight to keep still. “Where have you hidden Tessa?” So much for subtlety.

She chewed her bottom lip, a good indicator she was about to lie. “I don’t know what you mean. I thought the warlock took her.”

He moved to tower over her. “Ares, I’ve treated you like a sister. Don’t continue your deceit. I’ve spoken to Tessa, and I know you have her hidden. Where and why?”

She averted her gaze. “She isn’t a good match for you.”

Every muscle coiled tight. “She is my vetemba.” He watched as Ares shoulders sank. She looked like the frightened girl he had rescued long ago.

“I’m so sorry. You know I’d never intentionally hurt you.”

“Damn it, Ares.” He began to relax. “What were you thinking?”

“I had hoped we could mate.”

He dropped to his knees in front of her. “Shit. Did I... I’m so sorry if I did something to make you believe we’d ever be more than friends.” He tried to flip though his memories and came up with nothing.

“No, of course not. You’ve always treated me like a sister. I just”––she cast her gaze to her lap, a tear landed on her hand––“I’m so sorry.” Suddenly she was gone.

“Ares?” Crone jumped to his feet panic beating him like a wild stallion. “Damn it, Ares come back here!”

Silence greeted him, but then he noticed a piece of paper where she’d sat. He snatched it up and unfolded it. A map. This was where he’d find his mate. Crone clapped his palms together and rubbed until the room filled with several Rabbons, small demons that stood about three feet high. Their bodies were covered with light green skin, pointed ears topped their head, and large black eyes made their round faces cuter than hell. Until they smiled and showed two rows of razor sharp teeth. The demons were normally harmless if their bellies were kept full, at least until Crone commanded them to show no mercy. They’d been known to devour their victims in a most grisly way.

“You!” He pointed to the group on his right. “Patrol the area and if you even smell that tiger I want to know immediately.” To the others. “Split up. I want that fucking warlock found above all else.”

The demons chattered in a language only Crone understood and took off to obey his command. There were some benefits to having pet demons. Now to go collect his mate.