It must be difficult for you, if youre such a powerful witch, to have that power depleted by the demons.
It is, but they cannot deplete the greatest of my powers.
It is, but they cannot deplete the greatest of my powers.
Which is?
Well, its been said a witchs greatest power is not theirs to wield. Rather, it exists in the minds of others.
Oh, yes. What someone believes you are capable of may be the power that holds them back, whether or not you possess such power. It is the power of the mind.
Belief, Certainly chimed.
I agree with that. She smiled freely, tipping her glass to his in a bright ting.
Paused in the center of the kitchen looking aboutfor more cleaning work, he presumedVika set her glass aside as he reached her. He moved in for a kiss. It was quick and a little off her mouth. A hint of violet liqueur hushed out at her startled gasp. Hed screwed it up, and he pulled back with a wince.
Mouth open, she gave him a stunned once-over. What was that?
It was an awful, botched attempt. A horrible kiss, as far as kisses go. Sorry.
Never apologize for a kiss. She clutched the front of his shirt, pulling him down to her mouth, and kissed him.
More intrigued than startledalthough he was still kicking himself for such awkward first contactCertainly stepped in closer and slipped an arm around behind her slender back. All hed needed was a test kiss and an acceptance from her. He relaxed now, and Vikas mouth melded against his. Of course, he should expect nothing less than perfect from her. Perfect looks, perfect life, perfect kiss. And suddenly he wanted to mar that perfection, to imprint it with his own rough and messy darkness.
Hand gliding up against the back of her head, his fingers diving into the soft garnet braid, he deepened the violet and chartreuse kiss, clutching her tighter and teasing her to answer his force if she dared. She didnt balk. The witch wrapped her sorcery about his intentions and pulled tight, taming his sudden wildness until he moaned into her mouth. Her hair, silken and slick under his exploring fingers, pulled free from the updo and tumbled over his face and neck. It spilled endless streams over him, ensnaring, capturing, tying him up in her delicious net.
The body melded against his was long and lithe, soft and hard, hungry and undulating, pressing against him, daring him, meeting his challenge. He grew hard. He pulled her hips forward, crushing her against his aching want. It had been too long. Until hed gone to Daemonia, hed not had a relationship with a woman that lasted longer than a night. Hed never felt the desire to make a lasting connection.
Everything had changed. He wantedno neededsomeone. All his life hed fended on his own. Family was close but distant. He didnt even know where his sister, Merrily, was right now, yet he sensed she was safe. He didnt know the concept of family in any other terms, but he felt something was missing. Life was precious. He wanted to experience romance and love, and to know the feeling someone cared about him and waited for his return, no matter where he should wander.
Vika pulled away and stumbled backward, catching her palms on the counter behind her. Her eyes wide and vibrant, she brushed away strands of hair from her cheek. Wow.
No kidding. He chuckled. Mistress of the Unexpected Kiss, you are filled with surprises.
Youre pretty spectacular in your own right. She touched her lips, reddened from their kiss. I, uh... Wow.
I could feel the nail hum in that kiss.
I could feel your power, dark yet restrained.
They exchanged laughter and goofy grins. It was a moment of utter wowness, and all they could do was share some shy glances.
Ive never been kissed like that, Certainly offered. So brazenly.
You havent been around much, have you?
Much as Id like to lay claim to a certain macho prowess, Ive been busy studying magic over the decades.
Decades? Seriously? Youre a handsome, virile man, Certainly Jones. Have you been so busy you havent taken the time to kiss a woman?
Pretty damn close. I get it when I need it. That had been a vulgar confession. She didnt seem to mind. I just... He touched her lower lip, wanting to remember the shape of it, to imprint its seductive power upon his flesh. I think you just touched parts of me that havent seen light in a long time.
Really? She glanced above their heads. Even with all this prismatic noise going on?
Vika, there are places inside me that will never see the light.
Thats awful to say. A stroke of her fingers along his jaw, and he closed his eyes to focus on the exploring touch, to memorize it. Well get the demons out.
Youve suddenly become my cheerleader for demon expulsion.
She gestured with a shrug of her shoulders. Guess I figured out you might be worth the trouble. She kissed him again and, spreading her fingers through his, entwined both her hands within his near their thighs. Between fighting for my life with the menace demon earlier and walking beneath this amazing constellation of light, my world view has altered in a way not even magic could manage. Ive always liked things a certain way, neat and tidy. You disperse disorder, chaos and menace with every footstep you make.
Its not something I can control.
I know, you explained that. But, well... She smiled a blushing smile, and her thick lashes fluttered coyly, like butterfly fringe. I think I understand now why my sister is always falling for the bad boys.
CJs shoulders straightened proudly. Are you saying Im a bad boy? Im just me. Certainly Jones. Boring ole archivist and occasional adventurer to places no human or paranormal breed should ever venture. Fearful of the dark, and keeper of prismatic light.
And the best kiss Ive had.
He tilted down his head as if to say really?.
Ever. And thats saying a lot, trust me.
Guess Im not so rusty as I think. She strolled past him toward the door, and Certainlys heartbeat stuttered. Youre leaving?
Yes. She twisted an end of red hair about her finger. I feel compelled to leave the night where it stands, kind of wondrous and new. To save some anticipation.
Really? Thats what women wanted? Anticipation?
I want to spend some time browsing through my grimoires tonight, see if I can find something to expel demons. She paused at the door, hand falling onto the knob. You didnt expect me to stay?
Oh, no. I mean, not unless you wanted to. At her raised brow, he rushed out another forced refusal. No. That would be forward. Im not that kind of guy. He winced. Ive never been that kind of guy.
He wanted to change that, though, to somehow fit into Vikas idea of anticipation.
She smiled, and her emerald eyes beamed brighter than the crystals overhead. See you tomorrow, Certainly. If you happen to feel a stray soul brush up against you, grab it, will you?
How do I contain it?
With a mirror. You know catoptromancy?
Of course. The practice involved catching souls with a mirror. He should be able to manage that, even with his lesser powers. Good night, Vika, Purveyor of Anticipation.
She tilted her head and blew him a kiss.
And he felt it land in the vicinity of his core, there in his center where the demons roiled, anticipating the night. The darkness. Yet something bright and bold had touched their incorporeal carcasses.
And they didnt like it one bit.
Vika spun beneath the chandelier in her living room, only to crash into her sister. Libby held her back, her eyes wide and a silly smirk tickling her lips. What is up with you, sister mine?
Dont ask, Vika rushed out. Youll just laugh.
I have never seen you dancing in the middle of the room as if you were at a Samhain festival frolicking naked through the coltsfoot. And no music. You are in a good mood. Whats up? Oh, tonights Friday. Are you and No-Name Titan headed out to the clubs?
She and her best friend, Becky Titan, held Fridays as sacred. You can call her Becky. Just because her dad didnt give her a name doesnt mean we cant make one up. We use Becky most often. And shes in the States with her father, visiting friends.
Then what is it thats brought the color to your pale, perfect cheeks? The last we spoke you were going to find the soul Ohmygosh. The derelict?
Hes not a derelict, so stop calling him that. His name is Certainly Jones, and hes the archivist for the Council.
A librarian?
Not exactly. He catalogs more than books. We went looking for the soul.
And found it! No wonder youre so happy.
We didnt find it, and in fact, one of his demons made a horrible showing and crashed the hearse.
Libbys eyes widened.
Just a broken headlight, which Ive already had fixed. Sorry, had to dig into the household account, but I promise to concoct a few spells for you to bring along and sell at the next bazaar to make up for the expense. I plan to return to the area tomorrow and spread out the canvass periphery. How can one soul hide? Its got to want to go somewhere, dont you think? Oh, no, I wonder if it attached itself to someone else? I may never find it.
Youll find it. You need to be vigilant, and I happen to know you do vigilance well. But thats still not the reason for the happy dance. You know I will break you down, Vika. It would be wiser to speak now than have me go at you until you talk.
True. Libby never let anything go if it was a secret or mystery. She had once badgered Vika about an All Hallows Eve present for six days. Vika was expert at holding out information. It gave her satisfaction to do so.
I cant say.
I wont laugh. Promise. Ill tell you my news if you tell me yours.
You have news?
Libby pulled a red glass witch ball out of her tote bag. Got it at the bazaar. Isnt it gorgeous?
Vika studied the handblown glass ball. Long glass strands dashed from side to side within the globe. This is amazing.
The strands are supposed to trap souls. I thought to hang it in the garden above the white heliotrope.
Perfect. Though, I hope it wont interfere with the souls that stick to me.
Oh, I didnt consider that. I was thinking to catch a few butterfly souls to use in my spells. Im so sorry. We cant put this up.
No, do. Ill let you know if it causes a problem.
If youre sure, then I will. Now tell. She went dead serious. Or Ill have the vines in the garden rise up and meet you next time you go out back.