Constant Cravings (23 page)

“Put the hair in the locket, if you haven’t already. Having a piece of Cernunnos’

hair could only add power to the spell.”

“Are you really so tired from this morning that you need Nym’s energy?”

“I’m sure he’d like to think I’m using this as an excuse to kiss him. Even though the ritual was very simple, summoning a demigod is quite draining.” He let the towel fall to the floor, giving me a nice view of his ass.

“There are some robes in the back of my closet that you and Nym should wear for the spell.” He looked back at me again as he said, “And nothing else, except for the locket.” With a wink he added, “Tell Nym he can keep on his jewelry too.” I left the bathroom and found Nym waiting. He was resting at the foot of Liam’s bed, looking completely at home and sexier than I wanted to admit. When I repeated Liam’s instructions he smiled. “I knew he wanted to get me naked.” As I moved toward the closet Nym brushed against me. Maybe it was because he looked so sexy that I reached out to him with my mind. Everyone is entitled to an occasional lapse in confidence. Especially if you find yourself in the presence of a smoking hot elf who has a thing for your boyfriend. I knew through this contact that he was simply enjoying the game. He liked nothing more than a great tease and had no intention of coming on to Liam or me unless he was invited. I also knew that he wouldn’t mind such an invitation. However, the warmth and closeness I felt when he was near was still that of a dear friend. I must have paused too long, or maybe Nym could feel when I was reading his thoughts and emotions.

“Nothing has changed,” he said softly. “I’m not after your shaman.”

“I didn’t meant to suggest—”

“You didn’t,” he said. “But I could read that look on your face. If Liam wanted to sleep with me it would have happened a long time ago.” He leaned closer and pulled me near so that the front of our bodies touched. The gesture was incredibly sexy. His lips touched my ear as he whispered, “I know you’re in love with him.” I pulled back, certain my surprise showed.

Nym smiled. “You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know that nothing has changed. Understand that I’ve been waiting a long time to get naked with 134

Constant Cravings

Liam.” He laughed softly. “Under any circumstances. A kiss is the best I could hope for.”

I hugged him. I couldn’t help myself. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Nym, but I’m starting to love you too.”

He winked as I pulled back from him. “I know. You can’t help yourself. For what it’s worth, I’m starting to love you too. Now let’s find those robes and get naked.” Liam’s closet was big and well organized. The robes he’d mentioned were in a section at the back, all by themselves.

“These must be the ones he uses for different spells and rituals,” Nym said, running a hand over one of the robes. “I’m not sure of the significance of the symbols on some of them. Should we just pick one, did he say?”

“He wasn’t specific.”

One hanger in the middle of the robes was empty. I assumed Liam had already selected a robe and had it in the bathroom with him. While I was in there I didn’t pay much attention to anything besides him, so that was possible. There were a few in various shades of purple, some in black and one in white.

“I’m going with this one,” Nym said, pulling the white robe off the hanger. “Not that I want to look virginal or anything. It suits my coloring.”

“Yeah, it does.” I decided to go with a plain black robe. There were no symbols on either of the robes we selected. They were both made to hang open in front with no sash of any kind. They also had about a three-foot train.

We stood there for a moment, both of us waiting to see who would get naked first.

“You’ve already seen me in the alley with Liam,” I reasoned. “What difference does a thong and bra really make?”

Nym laughed as I pulled my shirt over my head and started to unzip my jeans.

“You did relive my naughty encounter with Tina the she-wolf.” He started unbuttoning his shirt. Before long I was down to my bra and panties. I decided not to hesitate. No reason to get nervous or shy now. We watched each other the whole time, neither of us wanting to be the first to comment.

Damn, he had a nice body. Sure, I’d seen him naked through his memories, but memories didn’t compare to flesh and blood.

As I slid the cool satin robe over my shoulders Nym said, “I can understand why Liam can’t keep his hands off you.”

I smiled. “I
can’t
understand why he’s never had his hands on you,” I teased.

“Elf-meat isn’t for everyone,” he said.

I laughed so hard I cried.

135

Tracey H. Kitts

Chapter Nineteen

“Elf-meat?”

We walked out of the closet, still laughing at Nym’s comment. Liam was standing at the table in front of his bookshelf. He’d moved the books to the floor and was using a mortar and pestle to crush some of the ingredients we’d gathered. His hair was still wet.

He was wearing a long, black robe with silver symbols embroidered along the hem, and nothing else.

“I’ll be ready in a few minutes,” he said. “Luna, your locket is on the bed.” Nym and I regained our composure and he slipped the locket over my head. It hung right between my breasts. As strange as it may sound, I didn’t need to be told that Liam had put Cernunnos’ hair inside. I could feel it.

Nym and I sat on the bed and waited for Liam’s instructions. I could see how tired he was now and though I wanted to help, there was really nothing I could do. After a few minutes he said, “It’s ready. You two, sit here.” He indicated a spot in the middle of the floor and we moved to obey.

“Right in the middle,” he said. “I’m going to cast the circle around you.” Liam placed the lantern in front of us and opened its little door. Beside the lantern he placed the bowl of herbs he’d just finished mixing. Next he began to put white candles around us until we were sitting in the middle of a perfect circle.

Liam stepped inside the circle and lit the candles one by one. Nym and I remained silent as he spoke in Faerie. Liam took the dried anise in his hand and tossed the small white flowers around the circle. As he spoke I could feel the power rising around us, building to the point that the hairs on my arms raised.

When he turned at last to Nym the shaman’s eyes flashed with purple lightning as he indicated that the elf should stand.

Nym rose and before I could prepare myself, Liam put his hand against the back of Nym’s head and kissed him. The kiss was brief, but deep. I saw a spark pass between them and knew what Nym was feeling because I’d felt it too. There was nothing like a fae shaman’s kiss. As Liam pulled back from him a bright, glittery substance trailed from his mouth. It looked as if he was literally drinking some of Nym’s energy.

Nym trembled as he sat back down and I put my arm around him. Liam took the bowl of ingredients in his hands, took a deep breath and exhaled over them. His breath looked like golden smoke filled with glitter. I’d never seen anything like this and sat watching in awe.

Liam knelt in front of us and poured the bowl’s contents into the lantern. When he closed the small door, the lantern glowed as if a very bright candle were inside.

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Liam stood up and waved his arms in an opening sort of gesture. As he did this, power rushed over me and then vanished.

“It’s finished,” he said softly.

He had barely spoken the words before he started to lean forward. Instantly, I was at his side, putting his arm around me. I hadn’t known I could move so fast.

“What do we do now?” I asked.

“Now we rest until dark. That lantern will show us the barghest’s footprints. Since we suspect they are tracking me, we’ll start close to the house. But they won’t come out until nightfall and I’m exhausted.”

“Let me help you,” I said, guiding him toward the bed.

“I’ll clean all this up,” Nym said.

“Shit. That reminds me. There’s a potion for you sitting on the kitchen counter,” Liam said to Nym.

“For me? Why do I need a potion?”

“To stop you from craving me after that kiss.”

“Oh yeah. That would help.”

As the elf turned for the kitchen Liam said, “Thank you, Nym.” I expected some saucy reply but instead he said very seriously, “You know you can count on me. Now get some rest, both of you. You look like hammered shit.” Liam was still laughing at his reply when we heard Nym say, “Blah. What did you put in that potion, vinegar?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“If I’m going to stick around until dark, I’m putting my clothes back on,” Nym said.

“Unless—”

“Get dressed, Nym,” Liam said. As he sat down on the bed the shaman smiled at me. “If he didn’t at least try, I’d be offended.” Liam slipped out of his robe and slid between the sheets, naked. “Come here,” he said.

I let the borrowed robe fall to the floor and climbed into bed beside him. He put his arm around me and I snuggled against his chest. Even though our lives were in danger, I felt safe. Here I was in bed with a man I had only known for a few days, naked while a sexy elf was in the next room. I’d never felt more at home.

“What if we oversleep?”

“I’ll wake up on time.”

“How can you be sure? You didn’t set an alarm.”

“Because I told myself when to wake up. You’d be surprised what your subconscious mind can do. It’ll wake you up on time without the annoying alarm.”

“If you say so. What about Nym? I feel guilty leaving him to do everything.” 137

Tracey H. Kitts

About that time Nym walked back into the room. “You both look exhausted.

Besides, I’ve cleaned up after spells before. Get some rest. If Liam’s internal clock fails,
I’ll
wake you up.”

The sound of ice rattling in a glass woke me. Liam was sitting on the edge of the bed, fully clothed and holding a drink. The smell of lime greeted me as I took a deep breath.

“I thought you might like one of these before we start monster hunting, as you called it.”

I sat up, then realized I was still naked and pulled the cover up over my breasts.

Liam noticed and gave me a questioning look.

“In case Nym comes back in.” Not that it mattered, he’d already seen me naked. I figured covering up was a reflex. I wasn’t used to being quite so comfortable in nothing but my skin.

Liam passed me the drink. “I wouldn’t worry. He’s snoring on the couch.”

“What is it?” I said, indicating the drink.

“Bourbon and ginger ale with a splash of lime.” I took a sip. “It’s good. I didn’t know you could mix drinks.”

“I can make potions. Is it really surprising that I can mix a drink or two?”

“I suppose not.” I took another sip and admired how good he looked, dressed all in black once more. “I take it the drink is to help steady my nerves. This is going to be scarier than you’re letting on, isn’t it?”

“It might be. Barghests are big, ugly creatures, and the last time you saw one it ate your friend. There’s no telling how you might react. I’d spare you the shock if I could, but I need you there to give a positive ID on this thing.” I took a bigger sip this time. “I understand. I want to come. I want answers and Cernunnos said to question the barghests.”

I put the drink on the bedside table and slid out of bed. “I can handle it,” I said, sounding more confident than I felt. “Besides, I’ve got you with me.” Liam smiled and rose from the bed. “Thanks for the confidence.”

“Hey, anyone who can electrocute werewolves with his fingertips makes me feel safe.”

He laughed. “Here are your clothes. I took them out of the closet.”

“I forgot I left them there,” I said, pulling on my jeans. “Honestly, I slept so hard I forgot where I was.”

The lantern was still glowing on the table near the bookshelf. It looked brighter now than it had before. As if he read my thoughts, Liam said, “It’s because the lighting has changed. It’s dark outside, only a few minutes past dusk.”

“Perfect barghest hunting weather, eh?”

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We turned to find Nym propped against the doorway.

Liam rubbed his palms together excitedly. “Since we’re all awake and dressed, let’s get started.”

A few minutes later we were standing outside his house. Liam was in front, carrying the lantern. Nym and I were holding onto each other, partly because of the cold but mostly because we were afraid. We didn’t really need Nym to do anything, but he was kind enough to come along for my sake. Besides, it never hurt to have another pair of eyes when it came to something like this.

“Are you sure we don’t need to carry a weapon?” I asked for the third time.

“It’s all right, sweetheart,” Liam said softly. “I’m the weapon, remember?” He rounded the corner of the building with Nym and me right on his heels. “If these barghests are in fact hunting me, then they’re probably close by now. Goodness knows they’ve had enough time. However, they most likely can’t get through my spells to see that
this
is my house.”

“Most likely?”

He carried on as if Nym hadn’t asked a question.

“They’ve probably been circling the place.”

“Great,” I said.

“This lantern will illuminate their footprints, so right now all we need to focus on is finding—ah-ha!”

“You found something?” Nym said.

“A footprint.” Liam gave us what I’m sure was meant to be a comforting smile. “I told you this wouldn’t be too difficult.” He crouched down and examined the track.

As the lantern’s light moved over it the print it began to glow and shimmer.

“That’s the largest animal track I’ve ever seen,” I commented. My voice was surprisingly steady. “Are you sure it belongs to a barghest?”

“Yes. I’ve seen their tracks before. This one is fresh too.”

“Now what?” Nym asked.

“Now we use this,” Liam said. He pulled a large dagger from inside his coat and put the lantern down so that he could hold the dagger in both hands. He spoke a few magic words over the blade. “If the one who made this track is a barghest, he won’t be able to move until I release this dagger.”