Sacred Circle (33 page)

“Have you said goodbye to my parents at least?” she finally quizzed. He turned then, giving her a nod.

“I talked to them a little while ago—told them my intentions.”

“You could stay a few days longer, you know—for Mother's sake. I can make myself scarce to give you time with her.”

“Let's not push our luck, shall we?” he replied. “I'm pretty sure the Sisters of Fate have washed their hands of us once and for all.” A black streak flashed by Devlin's ankles and he sprang back. “Damn cat!” He eyed Nicodemus as he vaulted to the windowsill and began washing his paws. Devlin's gaze returned to Brianna. “I promise to take care of Sage Industries for at least a year. After that, I make no promises.” Briana frowned at his words, but didn't offer a retort. “You aren't regretting how this all played out, are you?” he asked, suddenly.

Surprised that he had asked her that, Brianna gave a choking laugh.

“Good heaven's no, I've been tired of my life for a long time, and spirit has now given me an opportunity to mend some over-due bridges—especially with Francis and Sally.”

“They have a long road ahead of them,” Devlin murmured.

A huge lump formed in her throat at his words. Their road was nothing compared to the road she would be facing now that Devlin was abandoning his responsibility as a High Priest. His annulment would force her to choose another husband in the upcoming months, and the prospect was as depressing as a monsoon rain.

“Earth to Brianna . . .”

Brianna shook off her reverie.

“Sorry. I was just thinking of the long road ahead.”

He felt silent, and Brianna wondered if she should tell him that before he had dammed their union, the Council had reversed their opinion of the marriage. Would he even care that the Elders were willing to accept him as their High Priest now? No, that piece of news would stay buried—like her love for him.

A moment later, he dropped his suitcase to the floor and lifted the handle. Turning, he stepped to Brianna and lifted his hand to her cheek.

“I wish it could've worked out for us, Brianna.”

She plastered a smile on her face, giving a shrug.

“Wrong fairy tale, I guess.”

“It would seem so,” he replied.

His hand left her cheek then, and he skirted her shoulders, heading towards the doorway. As if crushed beneath a heavy boot, Brianna felt her heart shatter in two. It was over without even starting, and the knowledge would fester and gnaw at her for the rest of her life—just like the evil that had corrupted Sally's soul. She spun suddenly, shoring up a last bit of courage.

“You do understand that if you don't mend your ways, a powerful High Priestess will be forced to place a curse on your head that can never be removed.”

He glanced over his shoulder, and then held up his fingers in a Boy Scout salute.

“I promise to mend my ways, Cinderella. After all, I've seen firsthand what a High Priestess can do with just a sweep of her hand.”

He didn't give her a chance to reply. Instead, he executed a mock bow and strode from the room. Watching him go, Brianna's vision clouded with tears. That was that.
Swallow your pride and go after him. Beg him to stay,
her inner voice nudged. Not that. She'd not ask him to sacrifice all he had worked for in Texas for her.

Whirling on her toes, Brianna hurried across the room to the bay window. She swatted her eyelashes, waiting for Devlin's tall frame to emerge on the steps below. When he didn't appear, she brushed Nicodemus's fur.

“I can't ask him to give up his old life to stay with me, can I? It's too big of a sacrifice. Isn't it?”

“Rrr-oww.”

“Well, what do you suggest I do to make him come back?” She glanced out the window, still not seeing Devlin's tall frame on the steps. Where was he? Why was he dawdling? She craned her head, studying the area around the Jeep. When she still didn't see him, that same, crushing pressure exerted itself in her chest. Another set of tears sparkled on her eyelashes. She drew back from the window, with a sob.

“Rrr-owww.”

“Don't be absurd,” she murmured. “You cannot make him remember the healing wash. He's got to remember on his own. The Ancients decree it that way.” A chuff and a sneeze emanated, followed by a series of stuttered throat vibrations. Brianna glanced down at the ring on her finger, and twirled it absently. ”Well, at least I won't need this anymore. I'll use another one when I remarry.”

“If you do, your new husband won't live long enough to kiss you,” a deep voice said, from behind her.

Brianna whirled, startled to find Devlin lounging in the doorway, a lop-sided grin on his face. Her pulse skittered at once.
Thank you, Nicodemus. I owe you one.
The cat mewed its disgust at her, but she didn't have time to react, as Devlin hoisted himself from the doorframe and came her way.

“Do you actually think I would divorce you—now that I've finally got the only thing I've ever wanted?” he asked. Brianna's mind whirled at his question. His hands snaked up her arms, and hauled her close to his body. “Good God, woman. We shared a healing wash.”

A sob tore from Brianna's throat.

“I thought you didn't remember. I thought I diverted it.”

“Divert a healing wash by the Ancients? You're not
that
good.” He wrapped his arms around her midriff and held her snugly. “I have loved you since I was ten, you moron. And I have wanted to marry you since I was sixteen.”

“What?! Then why the divorce?”

“To bring you to your senses—so you'd admit that we belong together. Even that obnoxious pet of yours knows it.” Bending, he planted a wet kiss on her lips, and then, lifting his head, he met her gaze. “Do we belong together, Mrs. Janus?”

She thought of saying no just to tease him, but her heart was hammering so wildly that all she managed to get out was a simple, breathy “yes.”

Hearing the word, he released her waist, stepped around her, and scooped Nicodemus from the windowsill. Crossing the room, he tossed the growling cat into the hallway, shut the door, and locked it.

“What are you doing?” Brianna queried, choking up.

He headed back her way.

“I'm going to have hot, steamy sex with my wife.”

“Don't be absurd.”

He stopped in front of her.

“What? You don't think I can arouse you to a fever pitch a second time?”

“Don't be an ass. We're not having mind-blowing sex in a hospital bed.”

He gathered her into his arms and his grin was devilish.

“So you admit the sex was mind-blowing?”

Brianna tossed her head at him.

“Change the subject, or there won't be any sex between us ever—hot or cold.”

His voice softened as he lifted her chin and gazed deep into her eyes.

“If you think that, Snow White, you're not the smart High Priestess I know you to be.” The last of his words were smothered on her lips and, to her delight, this time the kiss was slow and erotic. She savored every moment of the burning fire on her lips, and then his mouth left hers to nibble on her earlobe. Brianna's trembling limbs quickly clung to him, and then, scarcely aware of her own voice, she whispered in his ear.

“We have to let the Council know we're not divorcing.”

He ignored her words, his mouth wandering down the tingling cord of her neck.

“They already know. They got the message when I tore up the papers,” he finally murmured.

His mouth wandered back up along her jawbone, and then, with a soft sigh, he settled his mouth on hers again. Caught up in the pleasure pulsing through her, Briana nestled against his supple strength and parted her lips in mute invitation. His tongue swept inside immediately, and overwhelmed by the spreading heat, she broke the kiss and buried her face against Devlin's throat.

“If the stars are in a favorable conjunction tonight, I might let your naked body claim mine.”

“Even if the stars aren't in a favorable conjunction tonight, my naked body is going to claim yours,” he responded. “That's a promise, and as a High Priestess, you have to do what your High Priest thinks is best.”

“I'm more interested in knowing what Mr. Janus thinks is best,” she murmured.

His fingers fumbled with the buttons of her blouse.

“He thinks Cinderella should keep Prince Charming satisfied, day and night.”

His lips recaptured her mouth, his fingers skirting inside her bra, to magically stroke the smooth flesh. The caress was so male and so bracing this time, that for a long moment, she lay drowned in a melting sweetness. This was what it was to be blissfully happy, and fully alive. Her arms slipped around his neck and she caressed the tendons she found there. He broke the kiss, his breathing labored.

“You're killing me here, Rapunzel.”

“I certainly hope so.” she murmured.

Her lips met his half-way this time. Soon, nothing else mattered, except the strong and vivid desires that shook both their bodies and claimed their hearts.

High on the rise, overlooking a painted circle, Nicodemus stood guard, ears twitching, waiting to be summoned. Alongside, Devlin watched the scene below, listening to the raucous giggles reverberating in the night air. Brianna's laughter soon joined in, and Devlin saw her lift her hands toward the full white moon hanging low in the sky.

“Begone!” she ordered.

The moon slipped behind a cloud, and the five young girls in the circle clapped and spun, not the least bit frightened by the orb's sudden disappearance. Instead, they began a silly chant for the moon to return and chase away the darkness. When it re-emerged from its hiding place a moment later, showering them and the clearing with a neon brightness, they giggled and twirled. Oohing and aahing, they attempted to catch hold of the prisms of light bathing their raised arms.

Seeing the bright rainbow, Devlin grinned. The girls were about to experience a last, shocking surprise. Brianna's hand waved towards the moon again, catching the girls' attention and directing it upward.

“Abra . . .ca . . . dabra . . .” she began. The girls giggled in delight at her silly reference.

“No, it's hocus pocus, Mrs. Janus . . . hocus pocus, stinky, okus . . .” The youngest of the girls twirled on her toes, and her cohorts joined in. “Hocus pocus, stinky, okus . . .”

The girls squealed at their own silliness and then fell silent, eager for the surprise Brianna would shower on them. Devlin knew Brianna wouldn't disappoint. She pointed her finger skyward.

“Oh, magic genie, I order you to open sesame . . .” The girls held their breaths, their glances shooting back and forth along the skyline in anticipation. And then a loud “rrr-oww” split the air, and the group looked down, startled to find Nicodemus lying peacefully in the center of the circle, staring up at them with his bright yellow eyes. The girls clapped in unison.

“It's Nicodemus,” Miranda O'Connor cried first. “What a clever, clever cat.”

Joining hands, the girls began to dance and twirl around Nicodemus' outstretched form, chanting his name over and over. Lifting his gaze, Devlin spotted Brianna striding the rise. Reaching the crest, she slipped into his arms.

“There'll be no living with Nicodemus now,” she scoffed. “Their flattery will go to his already over-stuffed ego.”

“Rotten cat for a rotten brat,” Devlin muttered. Turning her face up, he deposited a wet kiss on her lips, and then spun her around. Slipping his arms around her waist, he dropped his head on her right shoulder, and studied the giggling figures below. The shrill chants revved up, allowing the pair a moment to savor the energy surrounding the clearing, and bask in the power of spirit. Finally, he heard a contented sigh.

“The joy in magic still lives, Devlin. Can you feel it?”

“I can feel it.” He molded her curves closer into the contours of his body, and his mouth grazed her earlobe. “It's right here in my arms.” His lips seared a path down her neck to her shoulder, and then with a quick spin, he swept her, weightless, into his arms. He immediately devoured her lips, reveling in the shared intimacy of the kiss—until, to his annoyance, a strong pressure knocked against his legs.

“Rrr-ooww.”

The kiss ended abruptly, the pair springing apart.

“Damn cat,” Devlin drawled.

Brianna's laugh echoed as she backed out of his arms.

“He means well. He's reminding me, I must close the circle.” She spun around and headed back down the incline. Reaching the circle, she gathered the girls together and began powering down the energy cone.

Watching the group from the ridge, a grin overtook Devlin's features.

“Rrr-owww.”

“Yes, I know. It's not at all proper to envision my hands roaming intimately over a High Priestess's naked breasts.”

Nicodemus sneezed his dislike immediately, and Devlin's grin turned up a notch. No one was going to keep him from rousing his wife to a frenzied state of love-making in the next hour. Not even a damn, magical cat.

(from
The Kindred
by Rachel James)

THURSDAY — 10 AM — ASPEN, COLORADO

A shadow of alarm touched Janice Kelly's face, and she stepped back from the three-legged easel, tossing her paintbrush into a jar of cloudy water. The painting before her had changed background colors again. On its own. No, she brought herself up sharply. Paintings did not change colors by themselves. She had done it. She had changed the colors. She let her gaze travel across the now bright yellow background, struggling with the uncertainty it aroused. Had her divorce from Jimmy finally sent her mind over the edge? If so, this mind-fugue was dangerous. She might hurt someone. She might hurt Sarah. Horrified, she raised a hand to her temple. Damn! If she weren't careful, she'd work herself into a full-blown migraine.