Id blast them with nightshade. Libby, you know you cant go up against me when it comes to spellcraft.
Her sisters shoulders wilted.
Vika started up the stairs, gliding her fingers along the railing and looking down over the chandelier. It dazzled, but it was as if a speck in the universe compared with CJs amazing constellation. She wanted to return to his loft and lie on the floor and lose herself in the terrible beauty of it all.
I kissed him, she called down, and then dashed into her bedroom and closed the door behind her.
What? Libbys footsteps trampled up the stairs in record time. She pounded on Vikas door. The derelict?
Hes not Libby!
You kissed him. On the other side of the door, her sister turned and leaned against it. Was it good?
We both said wow after we kissed, Vika called through the door.
Oh, wow. But hes the complete opposite of everything you find attractive. And hes so...messy. How did you two manage to get your lips in the vicinity of one another to make a kiss happen?
Im taking a shower now, Vika called out, and smiled all the way to the bathroom.
Chapter 6
Paging through a few grimoires in search of a spell to help CJ, Vika was worried she wouldnt find anything for casting out demons. Her grandmothers magic had been focused on earth spells, and it was the rare spell that dabbled with the dark. Though certainly she would associate demons with the earth and the lower realms.
What do you think?
Libby spun into the room, purple crocheted skirt skimming the air. The concoction was tightly knit and hugged her sisters ample curves in all the right places. It stopped scandalously high upon her thigh with a wave of crocheted ruffles as Libby did a guitar-strumming rock star move.
Uh. Vika pushed aside the spellbook and vacillated on the truth or the embroidered truth. I love the color. Its perfect with your hair.
Libby pouted. Whats wrong? Is it too tight?
No, its just right. Youve such nice breasts. I always wonder why I wasnt gifted that attribute, she said of her smaller assets.
Because you got the bright hair.
Is this wild red flag of hair I have a better trade-off than sensuous breasts? Some days Im not so sure. Vika twisted the strands of jade mala beads wrapped around her wrist.
Wow. You rarely feel down on yourself. And after the high you were on last night? Whats up, sis?
Nothing. I... She tugged the natty, cloth-covered grimoire closer. Ive spent hours going through grimoires but cant find anything for expelling demons that hasnt already been tried.
For CJ? You must really like him. Have you tried to comb his hair for him yet? I cant imagine that mess is something you could stand to look at for more than a few minutes.
His hair doesnt bother me. And it is combed. Its just long and in need of a trim. And it usually covered the bruise on his neck, which she hated looking at. A demon mark. Awful thing, that. He doesnt have time for a visit to the barbershop because hes stuck in a literal struggle for survival against the demons inside him.
How many?
Im not sure. Im thinking its an infestation. The light keeps the demons back. Most of the time. But it must be a specific kind of light. Prismatic, she said, remembering with a shudder the terrible constellation that had hovered in CJs loft. Yesterday when the menace demon reared its nasty head, the clouds had come out and it was merely an overcast sky.
You have to be careful around him, Vika.
I am wary. Wasnt she the chick who avoided dark magic? So what had that kiss been about?
That kiss.
After CJs initial awkward kiss, shed been compelled to answer, and hed quickly gotten over his nervousness, and their contact had stirred her from the tips of her toes to the ends of her eyelashes. A truly wow moment. And as a woman who prided herself in sensuality and knowing exactly what it took to turn her on, it had surprised her in a good way.
Its not so much I like the guythough he is growing on me....
Its that you want to clean him up. I know you, Vika. I can see your fingers twitching to get into the mess of Certainly Jones and sort him out. Hes got a strange, sexy vibe going for him. Nice broad shoulders, darkly handsome. Im sure theres more tattoos under those clothes, too, and the goddess knows I do love a man with tattoos.
Her sister blew out a surprised breath and, with a sheepish smile, curled her fuchsia lips. Did I just say that? Anyway, do you think you can focus on cleaning him up, literally exorcising his demons and also kissing him? Sounds like a conflict of interest.
It does? Vika sighed. I dont know. Does it have to be?
Wow, youve got it bad.
I do not have it. Nor is anything bad. Yet. I had hoped to have something solid to bring him today when we meet later.
Ooh, the second date.
Its not a date, its a Okay, it is a date. So Im stepping out of my comfort zone with the guy. Whats wrong with trying something new?
Nothing at all, as long as youre careful. And I know you will be. As for exorcising the mans demons, familiars bring demons into this world from Daemonia. And you know how they do that.
The familiar must be sexually sated, open to provide a bridge from the demonic realm to the mortal realm, Vika said. Then the witch casts the spell and summons the demon. These demons werent planted in CJ via a familiar, Libby. They hitched a ride on his soul when he was tromping around the place of all demons. And I wish you would refrain from giving it its proper name. I dont wish to accidentally invoke anything by speaking it.
Sorry, Ill be more careful. So what if you do a little reverse engineering?
Im not following.
Well. Libby sidled up to the spell counter and toyed with a jar labeled For Use in Daylight Only. Inside, something luminescent fluttered about. It had been half price during a blowout sale at the witchs bazaar. Sex is a common means to summon a demon to this realm. What if, in turn Libbys green eyes glittered and her smile fixed at the corner of her lips sex could be used to send one back? The sex part opens the familiar to be a conductor to the mortal realm. What if sex relaxed and opened CJ to enable you to go in and tear out those demons lurking inside?
Are you suggesting I have sex with the man in order to clean out his demons? Wait. You did say that. Libby, Im sure Certainly Jones has had sex since hes returned fromthat place. As well, I suspect more is involved beyond getting ones rocks off.
Yes, like having sex with a witch who knows an expulsion or exorcism spell. There must be something in one of these grimoires. And combined with grandmothers magic?
They touched the nails at their necks.
There is, but... Vika gave her sister the most incredible look. She didnt care anymore her skirt was too short. Seriously? You think I should With the dark witch? No. I barely know the guy.
Youve kissed him. Thats a lot more knowing than some of us have lately.
She alluded to her crush on Reichardt. If the day ever came Libby afforded a kiss from the soul bringer, Vika would not only be startled speechless, but also have to check outside to ensure the sky had not fallen.
I dont mean jump his bones the moment you lay eyes on him again, but you know... Its an idea. Something to keep in mind. Libby winked and flounced around toward the door. Im going to do some shopping. Im in the mood for some new shoes.
Put a skirt on!
Libby tugged at the dress hem. Really?
Vika nodded. You dont want to flash anyone.
Fine. Ive got a cute white knee-length number that should look good with this.
Thats perfect. And Libby? Sex? Seriously?
You know you want to. With a wink, Libby skittered away.
And Vika caught her forehead in a palm. All focus on finding a spell vanished. Libbys suggestion raised all sorts of images to mind. Kisses and sensual caresses. Clothing falling at their feet. Bare skin touching and rubbing in a symphony of discovery. And CJs interesting tattooed hand gliding over her skin. She sensed it would stain her indelibly with his darkness, and she shuddered at the thought. But it wasnt an entirely horrified shudder, more so, one of anticipation.
Dashing out her tongue to lick her lips, she considered Libbys suggestion. CJ had called her a purveyor of anticipation....
No. Vika sat up straight, dismissing the images of the dark witchs hands skating over her skin. Its irrational. Nothing in the texts mentions sex will work to send a demon whence it came.
At least, that shed found so far. She hadnt searched beyond the few volumes she and her sister owned. There was an incredible database of grimoires worldwide. The answer must be recorded somewhere.
The archives.
The Council kept copies of every grimoire ever written. Not to mention the Book of All Spells, which did the same, magically. Every time a spell was createdno matter where in the world, or by whomit was magically recorded in that book. But she didnt know Dezideriel Merovech, the witch who kept the Book of All Spells. CJ must have a means to contact her and look through the book. And if not, he did have the entire library at hand.
I wonder if hes gone through them?
When had he the time?
Would he let me take a look at the archived grimoires?
Her spine straightened. The idea of getting to look over the Councils collection of what should be all grimoires ever written was too exciting. Almost on line with the prospect of engaging in sex to see whether or not it could prove a useful tool in exorcism.
I should go fix my hair. Gotta look right for this afternoon. So hell say yes.
And then she caught herself grinning madly. Yes to the grimoires, or yes to sex? A positive answer to either would please her. A girl couldnt survive on spellcraft and cleaning alone. One must tend the sensual demands her body craved.
Did she crave CJ?
No. Yes. Maybe? Oh, yes, I do want another taste of his chartreuse kiss.
The sky was fast growing dark. CJ did not like this. The weather service had predicted rain all week. Not the most favorable conditions for him to spend any amount of time with a gorgeous witch whom hed like to kiss again. But he refrained from an inward chastisement of his demonic hitchhikers, knowing his emotions regarding the woman would only feed their determination to overtake him. The sun was still high in the sky, albeit slipping behind clouds every few minutes.