Demonically Tempted (Frostbite) (17 page)

“Everything,” she bit back. “You honestly think a necklace is going to protect you? Or some voodoo shit that seems ridiculous, at best.”

I pondered, surprised by my own thoughts. “Actually I do. I know how crazy that sounds. But the time with Dane wasn’t totally wasted. I see things now that I didn’t before and surprisingly enough believe in it.”

In part because I had cast a circle last night and it somehow seemed more natural than I expected, even if I felt ridiculous doing it. “I’m not going to bring Zach and the others into that house who don’t hold this type of protection. And there just isn’t enough cream for both of us.”

As much as I didn’t want to admit this, I did without hesitation. “I think going to Gretchen to make more of that lotion is just time wasted. We need to end this and I have the means to do it.” I cocked my head knowing exactly how to get her to see sense. “Do you want Zach to get hurt, or worse possessed by a demon?”

Her gaze shifted to Zach, adoration bore in the depths of her eyes before her focus returned to me. “No, I don’t want that. But I love you. And this really scares me. How can you trust Dane?”

I squeezed her hands again hoping to reassure her. “It scares me, too. And I don’t trust Dane. But I trust Gretchen, fully and completely.”

“But what if they’re lying to you?” she implored. “After everything Dane has done. How can you believe a damn word he’s said?”

Good point.
And I only had one answer. “Because I have no other choice.”

She regarded me, for a long moment, then acceptance finally filled her gaze. “I want to demand you don’t do this. Lock you in your room and refuse that you take part in this.” She drew in a long breath through her nose, then blew it out. “But this is your life. So, I trust that you know what you’re doing.”

I smiled, this time more genuine. The day had come. “Wow, you’re actually compliant. I’m shocked.”

Her sigh came again and normally when she would have laughed, now her expression remained serious. “Just be safe.” Her palms were sweaty in mine, and I appreciated her worry, loved her for how she cared. “Whatever you have to do, whatever Dane and this Gretchen told you, make sure you do that.” Her fingers bit into mine. “And if he lied to you, if anything happens to you, I’m going to hunt the man down and cut off his balls.”

Most would think she was joking, but I knew better. The threat held strong in the air around us. “I’ll count on that.” I stepped into her arms and hugged her. Caley had always been my anchor in my crazy life, and I sure valued her now.

A knock on the door sounded before Max strode into my condominium. His expression stern, yet beneath it held that kindness that showed I wasn’t just a team member to him, and he thought of me as family. And it also displayed his concern. “Are you ready?”

I nodded, stepped out of Caley’s arms, and smiled at her. “I’ll be back before you know it and life can return to normal.”

She laughed. It didn’t sound amused. “Is anything in your life
normal
?”

“No.” I shrugged. “But at least, it’ll be demon-free.”

Her features tightened with concern, as she backed into Zach’s embrace. He gave me a nod full of confidence and I returned it. What choice did I have? I’d signed up for this life the day I accepted to fulfill my abilities.

No matter where it took me now. I did believe Dane hadn’t led me astray, nor would he put me in the situation where the demon could hurt me. His advice had proved that he wanted to protect the people in Memphis, and me, even if he went about in a backward-ass way. And the spells Gretchen had given me would provide the protection I needed. I didn’t doubt that.

Max glanced over my face as I approached him. “Dane said that I should wait a block away from the scene to keep a good distance. The second this is over, or if you’re in any danger at all, you will call me. Understood?”

“If everything Dane told me was true, I won’t be in danger. So, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Max grunted, and was that guilt in his eyes? “Dane might know about some things, but that doesn’t mean he knows everything.”

A swell of emotion rose up and nearly hit the surface before I pushed it away. His guilt was easily understood. Max was the reason Dane came into my life. But I had needed to learn, so as far as I was considered he’d done nothing wrong. Dane would always remain at fault.

And Max was right, too. Dane knew nothing of love. Instead of voicing my agreement, I said, “Just give me a minute. I need to gather my things.”

At Max’s nod, I headed over to the couch and grabbed my wand from under my pillow. I’d done as Gretchen instructed and kept it close. It might have been strange, but wherever I had gone it went with me. I wasn’t about to screw this up.

Caley gasped. “What is that?”

I considered telling her, but simply said, “You don’t want to know. Trust me.”

She clearly agreed since she didn’t press me further. I entered the kitchen, grabbed the bag off the table that held the rest of the items from Gretchen, and my notes.

“Ready?” Max asked after I returned to him. At my nod, he continued, “Good.” He turned on his heels, strode out through the front door, and left it open for me.

I followed, then glanced at Caley, who gripped Zach’s shirt with her hands. “Hurry back, okay?”

Zach, as always gave his reassuring smile, then I focused on Caley. “Let’s hope I won’t need an exorcism.”

She frowned. “That’s not funny, Tess.”

No it wasn’t. And I hoped it wasn’t true. I gave a little smile in hopes it’d settle her. Seeing that it did nothing to ease her tension, I exhaled, long and deep, then stepped out of my condo, closing the door behind me.

Max waited at the end of the hallway and held the front door open. His features warmed as he offered a kind smile. “You’ll be okay, Tess. You know that right?”

I nodded. “Gretchen said as much.”

“No.” He shook his head, adamantly. “Not that.” He cupped my shoulder, and his touch settled some of the tension in my muscles. “But I have no doubt you’ll do fine today.” His gaze became stern and serious. “I meant with Kipp.”

“How can I be?” I whispered, demanding the emotion that still hung right on the edge of my soul threatening to escape to stay hidden. “He’s gone.”

“But he might come back.”

I pushed every ounce of what I sensed, what I believed, to the surface of my expression, and squeezed his arm. “I’m sorry, Max. He won’t.” I lowered my hand, hurried down the steps, and tried to ignore the sadness in his eyes.

I might have lost Kipp, but the men around me, his fellow comrades, had all lost him for the second time.

My heart wasn’t the only one breaking now.

Chapter Nineteen

The hot sun warmed me as the scents of busy city wafted through my nose. Maybe even heightened since the garbage bins were just to my right.

Max followed me around the side of my condominium to where the air-conditioning units were located. He gave me a puzzled look. “You’ve placed the contraption here?”

“Where else would I put it? It’s not like we have a lot of grass here in downtown Memphis or around my condo.” Probably not the smartest of moves, but with all that happened, who gave a shit. “I wasn’t exactly in the mood to go hunting down a good spot last night.”

He never replied and merely looked forward, as we rounded the corner of the building. The jar sitting in the middle of the circle I cast remained.

Relief surged through me. It might have been my only choice, but I’d have seriously kicked myself if someone had moved it. I was glad to know that as I hoped no one came over to this side of the building last night.

I stopped in front of my circle and peered down. In the light, I saw I had drawn a perfect circle, which pleased me since last night I hadn’t been so sure.

Not until I started did I realize a flashlight would’ve helped. But I’d already drawn the first part of the circle and didn’t think it wise to stop.

“What do you have to do?” Max asked, drawing my gaze to him.

I gestured over to the garbage bins. “Just stand over there. Who knows if something will come out of it. I don’t want you to get somehow magically affected.” I snorted at the thought, but was actually quite serious. I had no idea what would happen.

After I placed my bag on the ground, I took out my notes and unwrapped my wand from the silk. I drew in a deep breath for bravery, tucked my wand into my back pocket and studied the note.

Once I gave it a quick read over, memorized the details, I tucked it into the pocket of jeans.

“I enter this circle in perfect love and perfect trust.” Then, I stepped in, but when nothing happened, I heaved another sigh.

I turned facing north. “Spirits of Earth, Guardians of the North, I call upon you.” I spun toward the east. “Spirits of Air, Guardians of the East, I call upon you.” I shifted to the south. “Spirits of Fire, Guardians of the South, I call upon you.” Then, I faced west. “Spirits of Water, Guardians of the West, I call upon you.”

I glanced down at the circle and the jar rested at the tips of my toes. “Thank you, Guardians, for awakening my spell to protect me.” I took the wand in my hand and drew the circle in the opposite direction. “What once was open is now closed.”

My cheeks warmed feeling more than ridiculous for doing such a spell, exactly my same reaction as last night. This was beyond anything I ever imagined myself doing, but if it worked, it worked. And I’d witnessed the way the demon reacted to the weed Dane lit. How could I doubt something I’d seen work with my own eyes?

I stepped out of the circle, approached my bag, wrapped the wand in the silk, and stuck it into my back pocket. I looked at Max. “I’m glad nothing…err…happened there, and you still have arms and legs with no added tail.”

He didn’t laugh at my joke, and approached. “Is that it?”

“I think so.” I glanced down at the jar. It wasn’t glowing or anything. But I trusted Gretchen and hoped that trust wasn’t misplaced.

I quickly grabbed the hem of my shirt, removed it, leaving me in my bra, then started to pull down my pants.

“What. Are. You. Doing?” Max demanded.

“Just hold these.” I handed him my clothes before I picked up the jar. “I have to rub this stuff on my body.”

He looked everywhere but at me and groaned, clearly stating he didn’t enjoy seeing me in my skivvies.

Within no time, I had the cream that seemed so much smoother than I expected considering it was made of rocks smothered over every inch of my body. And…nothing happened.

I didn’t have an overwhelming surge of energy to tell me that this worked, and that unsettled me. Shouldn’t I feel
something
?

Again, though, I put my faith in Gretchen and hoped whatever the cream was supposed to do worked.

I took my clothes from Max and re-dressed in a hurry.

Once finished, Max looked me in the eye again and gestured toward the circle. “Do you need to rub it out or anything?”

I chuckled, unable to help it. I hadn’t expected him to believe in all this, but then again, his world had been ripped wide open when he believed in ghosts. Maybe this wasn’t such a stretch. “Gretchen said this closed it. So, I’m guessing that’s all I have to do.”

“Good enough.” He gave a firm nod, turned and walked in lengthy strides toward his truck.

Within seconds, we were headed down the road. On the way, I read over my notes to make sure I didn’t forget anything. Max drove much slower than I would’ve expected. I glanced sideways and tension radiated out of him. “Are you okay?”

“I’m not pleased that you’re going into the house alone,” he replied, keeping his eyes trained on the road.

I chuckled. “The big tough Max has a soft spot for me.”

He jerked his head toward me. “This isn’t a joke, Tess.” His voice was clipped. “I have no idea what you’re dealing with.” Those angry eyes focused back on the road. “Hell, I’m still trying to accept that demons exist. And I don’t want you doing this alone.”

Me neither!
And if Kipp was here I wouldn’t have to. But why point out the obvious? We both knew it.

“Trust me, I’d be all for having you come with me, but you don’t have the protection I do.” I fiddled with my fingers in my lap. “Besides, I kinda get the feeling I have more strength to deal with it because of my connection to ghosts.” Why I knew that was so definite was simply beyond me, but I did feel stronger than Max in this regard.

His lips thinned. “My worries aren’t settled.”

Ditto.
But I was on my way to deal with this demon and worrying about the
what if’s
wouldn’t help me. “It’ll be fine.”
I hope.
“I’ll be fine.”

Not quite sure who was I trying to convince, him or me?

The rest of the drive remained in silence. And when we approached Chelsea Avenue, my nerves rattled me. I gripped the bag on my lap and tried to find a brave bone in my body. It appeared hidden under the mask of sheer fear.

Max pulled up to the curb, stopped the truck, then turned to me. “I’ve changed my mind. I’ll wait out here for you.”

“I don’t think that’s wise,” I countered. “What if it gets out and then…I don’t know…possesses you, or something.” No lightening the mood here. Max’s expression was more firm than I’d ever seen it. “Honestly, I’ll call if I need help. Promise. But Dane was right. You shouldn’t be around for this.”

His brows drew together, but after a long pause, his posture relaxed. “The moment you’re done, or if you run into trouble…” he handed me a radio, “call for me and I’ll come.”

“Will do.” I opened the door, and was just about to get out when Max latched onto my arm, forcing me to glance back at him.

“For God’s sake, Tess, be careful.” His normally strong gaze held deep concern. “Do you hear me?”

“Max...” I mirrored the exhausted sigh he’d made. “I will sure as hell try.”

His hard stare told me he didn’t want to let go, but he eventually did. I shut the door behind me, then turned toward the rundown house and inhaled the warm breeze that carried fresh scents of nature.

I tried to remember what Dane had said. Dammit, I always had the worst memory. I cursed that personality trait right now. Sure, I could have called Dane, but I’d rather swallow a nail than see the reason Kipp was gone.