10

Tessa paced nervously, her flip-flops smacking the tile floor. Darsam watched her with an intent gaze. Or more like a hungry one. She wasn’t sure how much longer the demon could hold out. After all, he required sex to stay alive. Then there were Crone’s words. What exactly did he mean by them?

A flash of light and Crone stood beside her. “Demon, time for you to go back home.” Crone snapped his fingers and Darsam vanished. Damn, she wished just once her magic would work so well.

“I’m happy you’re here. I wasn’t exactly thrilled with spending my life trapped in this castle. Not to be pushy or anything, but can we go now?” Tessa shifted nervously.

“Care to tell me how you ended up here with a sex demon?” His tone accusatory.

“Who are you to be so angry? I told you, your little cat whore brought me here and left me trapped.” Oh, she had not meant for that to be spoken out loud. Damn it! Crone flashed her the look that said he was pissed. Suck it up asshat. She was beyond angry.

“I’m not the one who had to conjure a sex demon. I mean you’ve been missing all of what... A day?” He stepped closer to her.

Tessa didn’t budge. “Perhaps, but at least it wasn’t my lover who locked you away in this hole.”

BAAAAAA. The goat mocked them both.

“Oh, for all that’s holy in the magical realm. Send that damn thing back where it came from,” he snarled.

She narrowed her gaze and slapped her hands on her hips. “What is your aversion to animals?”

“I happen to like animals. I’m simply more of an exotic animal man versus farm creatures.”

Oh that did it. All Tessa could see was Crone...her Jinn, in bed with that cat. She clenched her jaw, pissed at him, and even more so at herself for giving a shit who he slept with. She lashed out, her hand making contact with his cheek. The sound rang through the quiet air. Even the goat dared not make a sound. Crone’s eyes widened briefly before his brows shot down into a V.

“Listen up little witch.” He stepped forward, and she scooted back. Hadn’t she done this earlier? Except her pursuer had been a demon in lust, now she faced an angry Jinn.

He countered. She turned and ran, skirted around a table, and laughed that she’d managed not to trip over the damn thing. When she looked behind her, Crone was nowhere to be found, and suddenly she hit a hard wall of muscle.

Oh shit.

Strong arms snaked around her and crushed her to a warm body. She didn’t have to look to know Crone had her. Tessa tipped her head back and stared into a blue pool of desire. His mouth came down on hers, and she tried to struggle. When he swiped his tongue across her lips, she melted and opened for his tongue to dart inside and dance with hers. Fire ignited and her knees weakened. Everything else was blocked out except for her pounding pulse. Tessa had been kissed before but never like this. This man consumed her.

Shit! She came to her senses and kneed him in his man junk. He howled and released her. Bending over, he glared a death threat.

“Are you trying to help Zadicus find me?” She fought to bring her breathing back to normal. Damn, she missed his warmth already and hell if her body wasn’t twisted into a sexual knot. She no longer cared about herself; her worry was for his safety.

He straightened. “Shoving your knee into my groin was not the way to get my attention.”

“Oh I don’t know. Worked didn’t it?” She batted her lashes.

“Saucy wench.”

“Besides, I’m sure Ares wouldn’t be very happy with you, cheating on her.” The mention of that woman’s name set her teeth on edge.

He cocked his head. “How do you propose I cheat on a woman I have no relationship with?”

Now she felt kinda bad for the cat. “You’re an ass.” Even friends with benefits deserved some respect. He raked a hand through his hair. His long, thick black hair that made her jealous of said hand.

“I thought we’d already established I was an ass. Come up with something better next time.”

She sighed. “Did you get the items needed to help me break the curse?” Change of subject was always good.

“Two out of three. But there’s another problem,” he stated.

“What’s that?”

“Zadicus is holding my sister-in-law hostage.”

Tessa slapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh no,” she mumbled.

“That’s not all.”

Dropping her hand. “There’s more?”

“As my mate...”

She let her jaw drop.

“Yes, I know. In order to protect you, I’ve bonded to you. Zadicus can no longer claim your virginity.”

She wanted to ask questions, had a million of them, but they would have to wait. Right now, the queen’s safe return outweighed everything.

For the love of the gods, this witch would be his undoing. At least––for the moment––she was safe, and now he could focus on his other duties. Hopefully, there would be good news when they returned home.

“Oh, my god. Queen Makayla?” Tessa’s voice was laced with concern.

“Yes. So can we go now?”

“Of course. I’m so sorry.” She smoothed her hair, and he wanted to slide his fingers through it, grab a handful, and pull her head back while he kissed the hell out of her. It would be worth a knee in the balls to taste her again.

“Give me your hand,” he said. She hesitated only for a moment before slipping her hand in his.

“What about the goat?” She looked back, and he flicked his other wrist, sending the animal back to its farm before he pulled Tessa through the portal and back to his father’s home. Once on the other side, he released his grip, hating to lose her warmth.

All the men looked up from the books they had their noses buried in. Lazaro set his aside. “I’m glad to see you safe, Tessa.”

“I’m glad to be back. I understand Zadicus has the queen?”

“Yes. Sorry, my manners are lacking, but I can’t think of anything except my wife at the moment.” Crone caught the note of panic in Armand’s voice and fully understood.

“What can I do to help?” Tessa inquired. “And why did he take the queen?” Suddenly her eyes widened. “It’s because of me.”

“It’s because the warlock is an asshole,” Crone ground out.

“He wants to make an exchange, you for her,” Armand shot back, and Crone gave him an I’ll kill you later glare.

“Then that’s what we do.” Tessa approached Armand. “What are the logistics? He must have indicated how he wanted to swap.”

The thought of his mate turning herself over to Zadicus...not in his fucking lifetime. There had to be another solution. “When Hell freezes over, and as far as I know that will never happen.”

She faced him, all full of fire, and he was ready to battle with her. He’d lock her in the dungeon if it kept her from harm. Actually, the thought of her chained to the wall, helpless and at his disposal, caused his cock to stir. Damn, what a sight she’d make naked and ready for him.

Shit. Shake that vision free right now.

“Crone’s right. I’ll not risk his mate to save my own. We’ll come up with a plan.” Armand went back to flipping through the pages of text.

“I have my minions on the search.” Crone started to walk toward the wall of books when Tessa stepped in front of him.

“You have no say over what I do, and what’s with all this mate stuff?” Golden embers smoldered in her dark eyes. Time to battle.

“Don’t test me. You will lose.” He surprised himself at his calm demeanor. Tessa looked around and noted the other men staring at her. No doubt, they too were waiting for the battle.

“Can we go somewhere more private?” she pleaded, and Crone was ready to drag her off to a remote area when his father yelled out.

“I found it!” Everyone turned to the elder Jinn.

“What did you find?” Armand jumped up to move next to his father.

Tessa leaned closer to Crone. “Who’s that?”

“Our father. Sorry, I was remiss with the introductions.”

“There are more important things going on,” she whispered. “Like what did your father find?”

Efrain looked up from the scroll he had rolled out on the table. “An old legend. I didn’t want to mention it until I was certain I could locate it.” He pointed and Armand looked over his shoulder.

“What is it, father?” Crone’s brother asked.

“There is an old legend of a king who went missing. His people were so distraught they combined their power to help locate him.”

Crone moved closer, he sensed Tessa right behind him. “Father, I’ve never heard of this legend.” He knew that many of these stories were folklore, tales to send children to sleep at night.

“It’s very old and not something spoken about. It was believed it best to keep this power a secret, and I nearly forgot about it myself.” The elder pointed to the scroll. “It’s also considered dark magic and can produce unwanted side effects.”

“Just spill,” Armand growled. Crone felt for his older brother, knew how crazed he’d been wondering what had happened to Tessa.

“The legend states that any royal member of a house can be summoned by their people. They only need to call upon their powers and combine them together. The more Jinn, the better the chance of success. The downfall? It’s black magic, no one knows what doorway it will open.”

“I don’t give two shits if it opens a door directly to the devil’s piss pot. What do we need to do?” Armand asked, his muscles coiled tight and ready to pounce at any second. Crone couldn’t remember the last time he’d witnessed his older brother ready to kill anything that twitched.

“Gather as many people from Kayla’s house as possible, and yours too. Everyone meet in the temple. At midnight we call upon the darkness and attempt to find your wife.”

Tessa looked to Crone. “What can I do?”

Efrain approached as Armand and Lazaro disappeared. “I’m sorry that things are crazy right now. As soon as we get the queen back, you and I will get better acquainted.”

“Why are you sorry? I’m the cause of all this mess.” So many things had gone bad, and if she’d just left well enough alone and submitted to Zadicus, the queen wouldn’t be in danger. None of them, with the exception of herself, would have had to worry. How selfish she’d been in thinking she could break the curse.

Efrain shoved Crone aside and placed a strong arm around her shoulder. “Nonsense.” He eyed his son. “Give us a few minutes.” Crone started to object. “I’m not asking.”

“Fine.” He vanished.

“Wow. No smart ass remark? I’m impressed,” Tessa snorted.

“He knows to pick his battles. You realize he only has your best interest at heart?” The older Jinn asked.

Tessa thought for a moment. “Yes. Even though he can be arrogant as hell, I sense the kindness in him.” Efrain gave her a squeeze before releasing her. “I suspect he carries a large amount of guilt for the death of my Nana.” And for that her heart ached.

“You would be correct, and perhaps you can help him finally let it go.”

“I’m not sure what I can do other than assure him he bears no responsibility.”

“That would be a start, and as his vetemba, it would hold value.”

Tessa tried to keep her features schooled, but knew she failed. “Does everyone know?”

“Yes. He told us when he realized you were missing. I get the feeling you’re not pleased by this news? May I ask how long you’ve known?”

Did she dare tell him? Yes, the elder Jinn made her feel comfortable, as if he would never judge her. She wanted to confide in him. “Since I was a child. My mother told me that Nana gave Crone her power and asked the ancestors to grant him a mate on her dying breath.” She searched his face for any indication of how he felt about this bit of news but saw nothing. Like father, like son. “My mother encouraged me to seek Crone out. Not only would I be able to get Nana’s power back, which would help me break our curse, she wanted me to find happiness.”

He seemed to contemplate for a moment before speaking. “So what is it you want from my son?”

Now, there was the million-dollar question. “I want Nana’s power and to break the curse. In the beginning, that was all I wanted. Now... I’m not so sure.”

“I understand. You were not expecting the attraction you feel. Being his vetemba isn’t something you’ll be able to walk away from easily. I only ask that you don’t make any rash decisions that you’ll later regret.” He smiled. “I don’t mind admitting I’d love to welcome you into the family, but enough. Crone is probably beside himself waiting for us to finish.” Efrain headed for the high archway that led out of the library, and Tessa was left to wonder what she was going to do about this whole mess.