perhaps it would be better to take a wait and see approach. After all, the truce between the vampires and ourselves has lasted for several decades. I’d hate to see it destroyed by fear and assumptions.”
Relief rushed through him, and he let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“But there’s one condition,” she added. “You have to keep an eye on her and ensure she doesn’t harm anyone during her...visit.”
For some reason, his mother’s words made him grin. “I can do that.”
“And you are not to kiss her again! I know I did not raise an idiot for a son. Haven’t I taught you how dangerous a vampire’s kiss is?” Her voice took on the same tone she used to use with him when he was a kid, right before she would launch into an hour long lecture. Time to jump in while he still could.
“Yeah, I know, Mom. Though wasn’t there supposed to be some spell or charm that would block the flow of energy between two people?” He was only half teasing. Actually, now that he thought about it, he had heard his cousin talking about a spell like this back when they were teens and imagining what they would do if a vampire ever attacked them.
“Good night, Conor.” She hung up, apparently unwilling to answer the question.
Which must be proof that the answer was yes. So there was a spell like that somewhere. But where would he find it? Obviously his mother wouldn’t tell him.
Then again, maybe she already had in a way. Tossing the phone onto the bed, he jumped to his feet, then had to pause until the wooziness faded from his head. All the more reason to find that spell, as far as he was concerned. More slowly now, he made his way down the hall and staircase, then took a left at the foyer into the den. It took a few minutes, but he finally found the family spell book his father had given him as part of his inheritance. Centuries old, the book was fragile and yet also heavy in his arms, weighted with countless handwritten spells, including many added by his mother. He’d always considered it more a family heirloom than an actual tool he would ever use. After all, he did try not to use his powers too often, figuring his achievements in life tasted much sweeter when he made them without magical aide.
When he found the page he wanted, he grinned and reached for a piece of paper and a pen. It looked like he had some shopping to do.
Chapter 9
Lorena
“I ’m going to stay awhile,” Lorena said as she pretended to stretch on stage.
Jon frowned. “Lor, that’s probably not a good idea, you being here alone at night.”
She stared at her feet so she wouldn’t laugh. “Trust me, I’ll be perfectly safe.” Monsters didn’t have to fear the dark solitude beyond the stage lights or anywhere else. “I’ve got the second set of keys. I’ll lock up when I’m done. You can even lock me in when you go.”
He watched her for a few seconds longer then left, grumbling under his breath. She sighed with relief as she heard the front door’s lock click, signaling she was finally alone in the one remaining place where she belonged.
Immediately she let the façade fall away. No more needless breathing or blinking. She changed the CD in the sound system then gave in to the yearning she’d tamped down all week and let her body go. No more reining in her leaps or turns or pretending to work at the choreography. It was just the music, the stage, the rasp of her shoes on the wooden floor, and her…with all her unnatural abilities. And the new ache that had taken up residence in her chest ever since…
No. She would not spend another minute thinking about that kiss. Or how Conor had seemed to fill her with warmth and light, like drinking down the sun after living in a cave.
As if her thoughts had summoned him, she heard the quiet click of the front door’s lock, followed by the slow approach of his scent. She swallowed but kept dancing. Let him see what she
Relief rushed through him, and he let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“But there’s one condition,” she added. “You have to keep an eye on her and ensure she doesn’t harm anyone during her...visit.”
For some reason, his mother’s words made him grin. “I can do that.”
“And you are not to kiss her again! I know I did not raise an idiot for a son. Haven’t I taught you how dangerous a vampire’s kiss is?” Her voice took on the same tone she used to use with him when he was a kid, right before she would launch into an hour long lecture. Time to jump in while he still could.
“Yeah, I know, Mom. Though wasn’t there supposed to be some spell or charm that would block the flow of energy between two people?” He was only half teasing. Actually, now that he thought about it, he had heard his cousin talking about a spell like this back when they were teens and imagining what they would do if a vampire ever attacked them.
“Good night, Conor.” She hung up, apparently unwilling to answer the question.
Which must be proof that the answer was yes. So there was a spell like that somewhere. But where would he find it? Obviously his mother wouldn’t tell him.
Then again, maybe she already had in a way. Tossing the phone onto the bed, he jumped to his feet, then had to pause until the wooziness faded from his head. All the more reason to find that spell, as far as he was concerned. More slowly now, he made his way down the hall and staircase, then took a left at the foyer into the den. It took a few minutes, but he finally found the family spell book his father had given him as part of his inheritance. Centuries old, the book was fragile and yet also heavy in his arms, weighted with countless handwritten spells, including many added by his mother. He’d always considered it more a family heirloom than an actual tool he would ever use. After all, he did try not to use his powers too often, figuring his achievements in life tasted much sweeter when he made them without magical aide.
When he found the page he wanted, he grinned and reached for a piece of paper and a pen. It looked like he had some shopping to do.
Chapter 9
Lorena
“I ’m going to stay awhile,” Lorena said as she pretended to stretch on stage.
Jon frowned. “Lor, that’s probably not a good idea, you being here alone at night.”
She stared at her feet so she wouldn’t laugh. “Trust me, I’ll be perfectly safe.” Monsters didn’t have to fear the dark solitude beyond the stage lights or anywhere else. “I’ve got the second set of keys. I’ll lock up when I’m done. You can even lock me in when you go.”
He watched her for a few seconds longer then left, grumbling under his breath. She sighed with relief as she heard the front door’s lock click, signaling she was finally alone in the one remaining place where she belonged.
Immediately she let the façade fall away. No more needless breathing or blinking. She changed the CD in the sound system then gave in to the yearning she’d tamped down all week and let her body go. No more reining in her leaps or turns or pretending to work at the choreography. It was just the music, the stage, the rasp of her shoes on the wooden floor, and her…with all her unnatural abilities. And the new ache that had taken up residence in her chest ever since…
No. She would not spend another minute thinking about that kiss. Or how Conor had seemed to fill her with warmth and light, like drinking down the sun after living in a cave.
As if her thoughts had summoned him, she heard the quiet click of the front door’s lock, followed by the slow approach of his scent. She swallowed but kept dancing. Let him see what she
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