That feeling, the emotion of unconditional love that flooded the mans system, pricked at Tuesdays willpower. She winced, fearing what may happen should she allow herself to linger in his eyes. To fall into the deep and devastating emotion of love.
Tuesday released the man and he stumbled backward, catching himself before he hit the bars.
What did she do to you? Ethan asked from outside the cage.
Im...fine, Certainly said, catching his hands on his knees and huffing. It took a lot out of a person to have his soul tapped. She just...
I looked into his soul, Tuesday explained to Ethan. I like this one. Hes strong. She pointed at the vampire. You. I do not like.
Weve already discussed our mutual lack of admiration for one another. Like isnt a requirement to work together. You going to be okay, CJ?
The dark witch nodded. Yep. Just gathering back my wits. He straightened and snapped the simple rope before him in warning. You going to behave?
Tuesday nodded. I saw your wife. You love her very much.
I would die for her, Certainly said with an ease that tugged at Tuesdays hardened heart. Because she believed that he would. What a lucky woman.
Romantics and silly sops would have a person believe love was the be-all and end-all. Whatever.
Get on with it.
She held her hands before her, wrists together, waiting to be bound. The rope wouldnt impact her movement or physical health. It would keep her from performing any sort of magic, hex, spell or charm. But if the rope was damaged after the spell had been cast...
On second thought, she said, itll work better if you drape it across my chest.
Across your heart, Certainly said. Good idea. And you will need the use of your hands. He lowered the lariat over her head and rested it on a shoulder, then draped it across her heart to fall between her breasts. Youre going to have to remove the crystal.
I never take it off.
The spell wont fix otherwise.
She shook her head and clasped the cool obsidian.
Do you want to get out of here? Certainly asked.
Did they drug me? she asked quietly. Just tell me what they used to incapacitate me.
I dont know for sure. Henbane, possibly?
Tuesday nodded. Henbane, when mixed with a vile adjuvant, could take out a witch for the better part of a day. Damn it! Her wards should have caught that.
Certainly Jones could prove an ally if she played her cards right. But for now she must submit in order to gain freedom. She pulled the leather cord from around her neck and handed it to him. That must be returned to me immediately.
It will. Youll be able to wear it after Ive cast the spell. He tucked the crystal in his front pocket, then jumped a little in reaction.
Its not yours to possess, Tuesday warned. It will come back to me quickly.
I get that. He tapped the rope. This will shackle your magic only against Ethan Pierce. You will still be able to wield magic in all other instances. It may be necessary to protect yourself against the demon.
I appreciate that. What the hell is that guy?
Certainly looked over a shoulder. Ethan paced, arms across his chest.
Vampire.
I know that. I mean, whats his deal? Hes so...angry.
Really? This coming from the angriest witch Ive ever met?
You guys did kidnap me.
Point taken. Dont give Pierce such a hard time. He generally works behind the desk telling others what to do. But I think this time its personal.
How so?
Certainly shrugged. Not sure. And even if I did have a clue? Thats for him to give to you, not me. Close your eyes.
Tuesday did so because she was tired and wanted to get out of this stupid cage. Much as shackling her magic against anyone would piss her off, at the very least he wasnt completely disabling her.
The witch chanted a spell that caused the rope to suddenly squeeze about her. She felt the sigil beneath her shirt warm and reach out for the rope. It didnt like being controlled. Which was a good thing. And she counted on its retaliation.
In a matter of moments the witch said, So mote it be.
And the rope fell slack again, as if an ill-hung necklace. Tuesday let out a breath. Her skin tingled, but otherwise, she didnt feel any different. In the next instant, the obsidian on the cord flew out from the witchs pocket and landed smartly in Tuesdays grasp.
The cage door opened and Ethan asked, How will we know it worked?
It worked. CJ stepped out of the cage. My magic always works. He winked at Tuesday. Im sorry, but the rope is the shackle. Youll have to figure out your own style for that. He turned to Ethan. You going to take her upstairs for a bit, then...off to adventure?
The men shared a look that was a few seconds too long for Tuesday not to wonder what had gone unspoken.
Right, Ethan suddenly said. Ive got some things to finish up in the office. Come on, witch.
Really? Youre going to let your new pet out on a leash? She flopped the lariat around before her. Arent you the kindest master ever.
Good luck, CJ said and wandered out of the room.
Get out of the cage, witch.
She stepped up to the threshold. My name is Tuesday. Treat me well and I will return the kindness.
Ethan nodded. Lead me to the demon and Ill be more than grateful.
Im not going to lead you anywhere without cold hard cash.
What?
You think Im going to do this for nothing? Slavery went out last century. If you want me to cooperate we need to talk money. She jumped down onto the concrete floor, blessedly relieved to have left the smothering confines of that magic-busting cage. With a shiver and a flip of her hair over her shoulder, she walked up to the man.
He stood a head higher than her, but she was accustomed to looking up to people, mostly men. Her stance spoke louder than her lacking height.
How much do you want? he asked, surprising her that he hadnt argued.
A million. US dollars, not your freaky French euros.
He broke out into throaty laughter that, in any other circumstance, might have grasped her by the lusting heart and teased her to flutter her lashes at him. But this was not any other time. With a flick of her forefinger, Tuesday tossed a beam of pain at the vampire. The magic burst into a spray of violet sparks just inches from his face and dispersed.
Damn shackle.
Good to see CJs spell works, he said. Tough luck, witch. Im impervious to your magic now.
Only so long as the shackle stayed in place. And her sigil was so hot that it could burn through pretty much anything right now...
Half a million then, she said.
Ten grand.
Tuesday spun and jumped up into the cage opening. I think Ill stay here then. Apparently, Im the only one who can do what you need done. Im worth more than a few bucks. You think about it, then get back to me.
Ive got a budget, witch.
And Ive got all the time in the world. Do you?
He rubbed his stubble-shadowed jaw. Tuesday rather liked it when a man tickled his stubble over her skin, as his gaze journeyed down her stomach and lower. And his beard was frosted with a touch of grey in the dark brown, which added a delicious seasoning to his appearance. If the man wasnt so obstinate hed actually be sexy.
And Ive got all the time in the world. Do you?
He rubbed his stubble-shadowed jaw. Tuesday rather liked it when a man tickled his stubble over her skin, as his gaze journeyed down her stomach and lower. And his beard was frosted with a touch of grey in the dark brown, which added a delicious seasoning to his appearance. If the man wasnt so obstinate hed actually be sexy.
A hundred thousand, he offered. Thats as high as I can go.
Deal. Tuesday jumped down again and marched past him toward the door. She would have taken the ten grand. Lets get out of this dungeon. Did you forget I need to pee?
* * *
The witch had gone into the private bathroom attached to the office Ethan occupied in headquarters. There were no windows in the small washroom for her to escape through, so he trusted her to shut the door.
Meanwhile, he checked his email. No new orders waiting for retrieval assignment. And hed sent details regarding his taking this particular mission to the Council. No reply, so far, was good news.
He glanced to the maple-wood bathroom door. He and CJ had only planned things so far. And that plan hadnt quite come to complete fruition. It would, soon enough. He wasnt sure how he was going to work with the witch.
She was obstinate. A smart-ass. And he hadnt expected her to be gorgeous. Utterly beautiful. In a weird, silver Goth sort of way. Behind her defensive, smart mouth and angry rubber band-snapping machinations he felt sure a sensual goddess inhabited the irresistible curves and gemstone blue eyes.
He raked fingers through his hair and shook his head. What was he thinking? He needed to do this right. He was the boss. And he wasnt about to show weakness or failure to his employees by letting his thoughts stray from the task at hand.
Hed handle the witch with a strong hand and command. He had to stay on guard with her. To set an example for others. But it would prove a challenge, not only because of her odd appeal, but also because it had been so long since hed actually worked a mission. If she learned that he was questioning his own abilitiesand thus had taken the job to prove he wasnt washed up and was physically capable of handling such a missionhed never succeed.
* * *
They headed out, Tuesday following Ethans sure gait. It was a confident walk. A sexy walk. After many turns and an elevator ride down four floors, the sight of a door up ahead gave her great glee. Soon.
She pressed her hand over the shackle rope, which shed been holding snug against the sigil. The rope fibers were hot and smoldering. It was working.
I dont live far from here. Well walk, Ethan said.
Hed mentioned they would discuss a plan for capturing the demon. Why they didnt simply do it in his office was beyond her, but she appreciated the opportunity to get out of the building. And away.
He opened a heavy steel door. Bright daylight filtered in, making Tuesday blink. She had lost all concept of time, and even though her muscles were dragging her downward from exhaustion, the crisp winter air, inhaled deeply, worked to lighten her. And keep her focused. Tugging her coat closed, but keeping one hand inside on the shackling rope, she followed the vampire outside.
They exited into a narrow, cobblestone alleyway. Ethan turned left.
Tuesday turned right and started to run. She made it ten feet, pulling away the rope that had burned apart thanks to the demon sigil, and dropped it behind her. But as her speed increased and she began to pump her arms, her body collided with an invisible wall, slamming her backward to land in the arms of Ethan Pierce.
I expected as much, he said. A flash of his bright smile did not give her any mirth. So did CJ. The rope was merely a distraction until CJ had time to work up a stronger spell.
Bastard, she muttered, and collapsed in his arms.
Chapter 3
The steel door through which theyd exited opened and the dark witch swung out with urgency. He lifted his hand, exposing the glowing spell tattoos that covered his palm. As he approached, he asked Ethan, You sure about this, man?
Nope. But someones got to do it. So do your darkest.
Oh, no. Not knowing what was coming, but not stupid, either, Tuesday struggled out of Ethans grasp.
The vampire stretched back an arm toward his approaching cohort while he managed to hold her by the coat with his other hand. She wasnt going to let whatever might happen...happen.
She began to speak a deflection spell, but a slash of Certainlys hand caused Tuesdays words to suddenly jumble and drop in the air. Hed deflected her deflection. He was stronger than shed anticipated.
With his full body, the vampire crushed her against the brick wall. She kicked, unwilling to be contained. Suddenly, she smelled blood. What the? The dark witch grabbed her wrist and an icy pain seared the center of her palm. A coppery scent filled the air. He was invoking blood magic?
No!
Kicking, Tuesday hit Ethans gut, but the vampire lunged forward and slapped his hand into hers. Heat from his blood mingled with hers. The dark witch held their hands together and recited a simple incantation that she recognized as a binder.
Tuesday growled, but the exhaustion from what shed been through since sitting in the barback in the United Stateshad depleted her magic. The blood spell coursed through her system, and she felt it bite at her neck from the inside. Certainly Joness dark and masterful magic bound her to the vampire. They would not be able to leave one anothers side, nor would they be able to harm one another.
This is the only blood youll ever get from me, the vampire said on a low, accusing tone.
With a shout for survival, Tuesday pushed away from her captor with a shove of her free hand to his chest. The dark witch stepped away, allowing her to stumble against the wall. She caught her hands flat on the rough brick behind her, cursed, then watched as the knife wound sealed in a glow of violet on her palm.
Had to be done, Certainly commented.
How close do we have to stay to one another now? Ethan asked, as if hed only been given a simple handshake.
Not sure. Try it out.
Try running off, Ethan said to her. See how far you get.
Try fucking yourself, vampire.
Like I said, shes going to be a challenge, Certainly said.
Challenge accepted. Ill start walking home, Ethan said. Well see how far I get before you have no choice but to follow. He slapped a hand into the dark witchs. Thanks, CJ.
Ethan strolled off down the alley. And Tuesday tugged her coat up and adjusted her hair. She pointed an accusing finger at Certainly. You, Jones, are on my shit list.
He shrugged. I honor your power, Tuesday Knightsbridge. You are an old and strong witch. But I can feel your darkness is even greater than mine.
Yeah? Warlocks looking pretty good right about now. If she grievously harmed another witch the warlock title would be slapped on her. That would really put you in your place.
As well, it would put you in a place you dont want to stand. Dont let it overwhelm you, Tuesday. Remember what you once were.
Really? The man was trying the New Age-y bullshit on her? You know nothing about me.