Kali Willows BUNDLE (Shadowed Desires Series) by Kali Willows Read Free Book Online Page B

on the wicks, igniting them.
    “Make a wish.”
    “It already came true.” Gwen blew out the candles and took the cake, placing it on the end table. She removed the jacket and lay back on the bed, ready for her gift.

 
     
    Damnation & Desire
     
     
     
    Chapter One
     
     
    Flipping through the pages of the crumbling Latin text with growing disturbance, Tessa felt the thumping in her chest grow to an uncomfortable pace. Long before the Salem witch trials, Heinrich Kramer, 15th century cleric, penned—or quilled—the Malleus Maleficarum and set aflame one very short, but cruel, witch hunt.
    “Section Three...those bastards!” She jerked away from the book as if expecting the repugnant words to leap off the page and set her ablaze.
    Page after page of detailed instructions for gruesome torture—and ghastly illustrations—further drove her need to complete her thesis despite how appalling the topic was. Researching and translating the ancient language brought her the agonizing knowledge that the women accused of practicing witchcraft had no way to escape interrogation, torture, and eventual death. The pain and suffering of these victims afflicted her personally as she absorbed their history.
    Glancing over her shoulder at her empty inbox on the monitor, Tessa fiddled with her pentagram necklace like a security blanket and tapped her foot. With a sigh of annoyance, she refocused on the project in front of her, flipping through the pages of the ancient manual.
    You have mail . She tensed when she saw the message from Madame Evangeline. Before taking the leap, she inhaled and composed herself. 1Night Stand’s success was critical for so many reasons. She clicked on the email.
    Your match has been found and your date has been arranged at the Castillo Resort in Salem , Massachusetts, on the thirty-first day of October. You will attend the Witch’s Ball in the Sapphire Ballroom of the hotel .
    Halloween? Salem? Having her date in her hometown lacked the discretion she’d envisioned when she sought the services of Madame Eve. The sudden shrill of her ringing phone made her jump.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey Tess, any word yet?”
    “Hi Jen, I just got her reply.” Her heavy shoulders drooped as she settled back into her chair.
    “So, when is it? You don’t sound very enthused.”
    “You won’t believe this; maybe Madame Evangeline has a sense of humor.”
    “What?”
    “It’s booked for Halloween night at the Witch’s Ball.”
    “You’re kidding?” Jen’s laughter added to the unease settling in the pit of her stomach.
    “Yup, sending a Wiccan to the Witch’s Ball to get some—how the hell am I going to keep this discreet? Everyone in town will be there.”
    “Oh, Tess, try not to worry. Just because they’re there doesn’t mean they’ll know it’s an arranged date. Meet him there and then take him somewhere else for the evening.”
    “Madame Eve has the night planned; check in at three o’clock, attend the ball at seven. She made an appointment for us to indulge in some of the celebrations , but I have no idea what that means.”
    “At the Festival of the Dead? I don’t imagine it will be a candlelight dinner or anything tame, but tame isn’t your style anyway.” A snicker resonated in her ear.
    “I’m glad you’re amused.”
    “I’ll be going to the ball with Johnny so if you run into any problems, I’ll be close by.”
    “Thanks.” A halfhearted scoff slipped out as she tilted her leather office chair back and swayed side to side.
    “She booked me into a suite. It feels like I’m playing with fire, so close to home.”
    “Were you expecting to jet set across the world for one night?”
    “I guess I hadn’t thought about it.”
    “It’s not like it’s an arranged marriage, Tess. It’s a night of fun, and unless you plan on bumping uglies in the middle of the dance floor, I would venture a guess that your discretion should remain intact, although your integrity may be in