Warlock Unbound: Heart's Desire, Book 4 (7 page)

Chapter Nine

“We lost him, but hey! We gained a few kids.” Zach breezed into Gareth’s apartment ahead of Daniel. For some reason the witch was still full of energy. Daniel was the one who was exhausted.

Daniel stumbled into Gareth’s apartment, so tired he couldn’t see straight. “And what the fuck happened to the elevator?” The stairs were brutal. His thighs were staging a revolt, and his calves were screaming about abuse.

“Kerry,” Jo replied, placing an open box on the coffee table.

Gen glanced around with a small frown. “Where is Gareth?”

Daniel’s wolf howled. Fuck Gareth. Daniel wanted to know what was wrong with his mate. “What happened to Kerry?”

Jo studied the contents of the box intently, not even glancing in their direction. “Kerry’s been hexed.”

Daniel’s claws extended, scratching against the glass tumbler.

Zach blinked, his shock evident. “What? How?”

“According to Annabelle, it was a sleeper hex. Once Daniel cast the mate spell, it activated. So I did some research on sleeper hexes to figure out why she didn’t blow up our protections.” Jo sighed wearily.

“And?” Daniel wanted to know. If anyone else was under such a hex, it could hit at any time. Hell, they’d kidnapped Jo. Could she be under some kind of sleeper hex as well?

Nah. Zach would have noticed something like that. Zach seemed to specialize in hex removal and warlock beat-downs.

“Turns out she didn’t set off our wards or protections because there was nothing there to detect until it went live. And the amulets were given to her
after
the sleeper hex was cast, so they didn’t detect it either until it was too late.” From the circles around Jo’s eyes and her slumped shoulders, she’d managed to exhaust herself. “I’m sorry, Daniel.”

“I knew it. I
knew
there was a reason my wolf didn’t want to cast the spell, but oh, no, you guys had to insist I do it anyway.” Daniel began to pace, his wolf wanting out in the worst way.

“Think of it this way. We never would have discovered the hex if you hadn’t cast the mate spell. We would have lost both of you, because the hex would have slowly poisoned her life.” Jo held up a small bowl of what appeared to be dust. “This is the only remains of the doll that Annabelle used to protect Kerry long enough to get her here. This isn’t some big blow-out hex, Daniel. This is long-term poison. I think it’s been affecting her since her kidnapping, but it was so low-key that none of us noticed it.”

Daniel stared at the dust. A hex that strong could have killed her easily. “Where is Kerry now?”

“In your suite, wrapped in bubble wrap. Gareth is with her.” Jo placed the small pile of dust into a plastic zipper bag, closing it tight. “Just in case we need this for the hex removal.”

“Gimme.” Zach took the bag and put it in his pouch. “Even if I don’t need it for the removal, I will want to do something with it. This holds part of the damage Kerry was supposed to take. It will need to be disposed of properly or it could harm her again.”

“Or be used to pull the damage out of the dust and redirect it back to her.” Gen shivered.

Daniel nodded. That made sense. It would be sympathetic magic, a part of Kerry used to harm her. “Let’s go.”

Zach held the door open for Daniel, following him down the corridor. Gen remained behind, talking quietly with Jo. “I’m going to need to take a look at her. I want to make sure I get this right.”

“You will. I trust you.” Zach’s screw-ups with magic hadn’t been his fault, not really. As an Own, his power was incredible. He’d be able to get the hex off of Kerry, just as he’d removed the ones from Lana and himself. Zach was the most experienced of all of them when it came to this sort of spell work.

Daniel opened the door and stopped dead, Zach bumping into him from behind.

Kerry was on his couch, her hands clenched in her lap, her expression so fearful he wanted to snap Arthur Godwin like a twig. “Hey.”

She gave him a tiny, embarrassed shrug. “Hey.”

He stepped into his suite, feeling like he was hunting his prey. She shivered on the sofa, so stiff he knew she was going to bolt the moment someone touched her. “We’re going to make this all right.”

“That’s what they tell me.” She stared at him, that fearful expression still on her face. “How have you been?”

“Growly,” Zach answered before Daniel could.

“Pissy,” Gareth added. He was seated across from Kerry, playing cards in his hands. His brother had been trying to keep Kerry calm, probably with Gin Rummy. It was one of the few card games Gareth knew other than Solitaire.

“We thought about checking him for fleas or ticks, but we can’t get him to sit still long enough.” Zach flinched back when Daniel tried to pop him one on the arm. “What? Tell me you weren’t thinking the same thing.”

Gareth ignored Zach, instead moving to Kerry’s side. He picked up one of her hands, holding it between his own.

If Gareth weren’t mated Daniel would have ripped his arm off for touching Kerry when she was so frightened. Instead, his wolf approved of his brother bringing his mate a sense of safety and security even if Daniel’s human half wanted to pop his brother one for taking his spot at her side.

“All right. Now that Dumb and Dumber are here, Zach is going to work with Gen on getting the hex off of you. In the meantime, I want you to stay here, right by Daniel’s side. Nothing’s going to happen while you’re in his suite.”

Gareth’s attempt to reassure Kerry seemed to be falling flat, because Kerry pulled her hands out of Gareth’s and touched his black eye. “Really? Daniel will be safe here with me?”

“Well, ah…” Gareth cleared his throat. “Try hard not to kill him?”

Daniel stared at his brother. “Why did you phrase that as a question?”

“You’ve been
really
snarly?” Gareth laughed when Daniel growled. “Down, pup.”

Daniel huffed and shooed his brother away from Kerry. “We’ll be fine, asshole. Just go do your king stuff and leave us alone.”

“What about your job?” Zach glanced at Gareth. “Because I ain’t doing it.”

Gareth shrugged. “Mac can handle the extra chores while we make sure Kerry is safe.”

“Did you talk to Mac about that? He must be thrilled.” Daniel’s new job wasn’t an easy one. Giving Mac the extra work would mean long, sleepless nights for the steward of the court.

“He’ll be fine.”

“If you say so.” Daniel turned his attention once more to Kerry. “Anything you want or need?”

She blinked. “A toothbrush, clean underwear, some scrubs and the TV remote.”

“I told you, Annabelle is packing up your apartment.” Gareth crossed his arms over his chest. “You’ll have your stuff in no time.”

Kerry glared at Gareth. “I’m not wearing the same panties for days.” She turned to Daniel, her expression softening. “Can you get Lana up here? She’ll get what I need.”

Daniel nodded. He’d get Prince Roland and Princess Arianna if that were her request. “I’ll call her in a bit, but first things first. Zach?”

Zach began to glow as he approached Kerry. “Wow. That’s…nasty.”

“How hard will it be to get rid of it?” A hex so dangerous it caused an elevator to crash was way too dangerous to fuck around with. Hell, a meteor could fall out of the sky right on her head.

He glanced up at the ceiling.
Yup, still there.

“Pretty damn hard. It’s embedded deep, deeper than the one that was on me. I’ll need Gen’s help to get rid of it, I think.” Zach strode toward the door. “Come see me once Kerry is settled.”

“No.” Kerry stood, almost knocking Daniel off the coffee table. “I want to be in on this. If Daniel really is my mate, I want to learn more about magic. I
need
to. It’s my life on the line.”

Daniel nodded. “Agreed.”

“Whoa there.” Gareth held up his hands. “What if Zach doesn’t agree to this? Or Gen?”

“I agree.” Zach was staring at Kerry with an odd expression. “There’s something more here, something deeper than the hex, but…” He shook his head. “I can’t figure it out. I will, given time, but…” He tilted his head. “What the fuck
is
that?”

“Oh. That.” Kerry shrugged. “If you’re seeing what I think you are, Annabelle says I’ve got some psychic power that allows me to feel magic.”

Zach nodded. “That
could
be it.” He shook his head and grabbed Gareth’s arm. “Let’s leave them alone. You’ll have to bring her to Gareth’s workroom to touch the ring.”

Gareth grunted in disapproval as Zach chuckled. “I’m going to need a shit-ton of Lysol when this is over.”

“Just think of it as helping the love birds make a connection.”

“Ew. I don’t want to think about Daniel’s naked ass.” Gareth gagged. “I’m gonna throw up now, butt munch.”

“You said butt.”

The door closed on Gareth and Zach’s playful bickering, leaving Daniel alone with Kerry for the first time in forever.

“So.” Kerry settled back on the sofa, looking anywhere but at him. Her cheeks were bright red. “We’re mates, huh?”

“Yup.” He cupped her cheek, shivering at the feel of her skin. Her scent was overwhelming him, so feminine and sweet he wanted to taste her. Now that he’d cast the spell he didn’t have to fight himself anymore. He could allow himself to treat her as she deserved, with care and affection.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “I thought you hated me.”

Daniel frowned as he thought of all the times they’d bickered, mostly about her safety. “You’re stubborn.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “You’re grouchy.”

“You needed to be safe.” If only she’d listened to him, she might have been here when the hex first manifested. All she’d had to do was remain in his home, under guard, twenty-four hours a day.

“You never asked. You ordered.” She leaned forward, poking him in the chest. “And no one orders me around, buddy.”

He took advantage of her nearness and grabbed hold, pulling her close enough to kiss. “Think. Again.” Daniel took her mouth, tasting her as he’d dreamed of doing since the first time he saw her, back when he was watching over Lana for Chris. She’d been in some stupid bridesmaid’s outfit for her twin’s wedding, and she’d been delectable. His wolf had practically drooled over her, clawing and scratching to get to her, but it hadn’t been the right time. He wanted his world, his family, safe before he brought her into it.

And she’d fought him even then, pushing him away to reach for Gareth, who’d been wounded. Her hair had been a glorious mess and her dress was hiked up to her knees. She’d been brash, bold and refused to back down no matter how much he growled at her to stay away for her own safety.

How could he not adore her? She was his match in every way.

Gods above, she was delicious. He caressed her lips until they opened for him, granting him access to inner sweetness. He devoured her, placing his claim in the only way he could at that moment, trying desperately to imprint himself on her so she’d know without a doubt that he was hers and she, his.

Sex could wait. When they touched the Beckett ring they would connect, their bodies joining together as one. When she accepted him fully he’d finish the spell, casting his shadow on her shoulder, marking her for all time as his mate. The need to do so, to take her and whisper those final words was overwhelming, but not yet. She wasn’t ready, and the hex could cause it to blow up in their faces.

He’d help make her safe. Then he’d claim her once and for all.

She pressed her hands against his chest and he eased back, never wanting her to think for even a second that he would force himself on her. “Daniel?”

“Hmm?” He watched her lips and saw her lick them. The need to taste her again had him almost missing her words.

“We shouldn’t do this.” She bit her lower lip. Her gaze was filled with regret. “We need to go…”

He was giving her barely there kisses, hoping she was as driven to distraction as he was.

“Zach and Gareth need us.”

He slid his hand around her waist until it rested just at the curve of her ass. Her breasts were pushing against his chest. Her hands were trembling as they clutched his shirt. “Mm-hm.” Her scent was intoxicating, pulling him closer until his lips grazed hers once more.

“You know what? Never mind.” Kerry’s lips moved against his, causing him to moan. “It can wait.” And this time, she was the one who plundered and took until they were both moaning into each other’s mouths.

It was a start, one he’d take with both hands and mold into the relationship he planned on having with this stubborn, perfect woman.

Chapter Ten

“I hate to tell you this, but a candle won’t hold it. Not this time.” Gen’s voice was so tired. The woman had probably been at her research the whole time Kerry and Daniel had been playing tonsil hockey on his couch.

They’d decided it was a draw, since both of them had won that little contest. And damn, could Daniel kiss. He’d turned it into an art form worthy of the Met.

Kerry walked into Gareth’s apartment once more, this time with Daniel at her side. He clenched her hand as if his presence alone could protect her from whatever the hex could come up with.

Part of her wanted to boot him in the ass and tell him she could take care of herself. It was a lie, but it was a comforting one. No way did she want to appear weak to him.

The other part, the part that was a wide-eyed little girl, terrified of the things hidden in her closet at night, clutched his hand so tightly both their fingers turned white.

“What about bouncing the hex?” Daniel tugged until Kerry was settled on Gareth’s sofa. With a satisfied smile, he turned to Gen and Zach, who were huddled over a table staring at a box and assorted stuff that Kerry couldn’t identify. When she tried to go over and take a look, Daniel put his hand on her shoulder, preventing her from standing.

She brushed his hand off, but he just put it right back. “Daniel.”

“Kerry.” He used the same tone of voice she had, the warning clear.
Stay put and don’t interfere.
When she didn’t move, he nodded in satisfaction and turned back to Zach and Gen. “We can do a mirror spell.”

The two Own seemed to think about that, but Zach shook his head. “No, it won’t work. Not only do we not know which Godwin cast the hex, it could accidentally bounce onto Gen.”

Gareth’s growl scared the shit out of her. She jumped, causing Daniel to also growl.

“Down, boys.” Gen held up her hands. “I agree. No mirror spell, all right?”

Gareth glanced at the table. “Then what about a containment spell?”

“The candle method won’t work. We already said that.” Zach was watching Gareth his expression confused.

“Then what’s stronger than a candle?” Kerry glanced between all of them, hoping they were following her train of thought. “I know sometimes stuff gets put into silk bags, but I’m betting that wouldn’t be any stronger, right?”

“Right.” Zach gave her an approving look. “We could try copper, with runes already attached to it.”

“A copper box?” Gen glanced at the table. “It
could
work, if the runes were etched into it beforehand.”

“But we’d still need something in the box to hold the hex.” Zach stared at the table as well, his brows furrowed in a frown.

Kerry managed to slip past Daniel and toward the table. She picked up the ziplocked bag of dust. “What about this?”

The two Own stared at it, each with startled expressions.

“Think about it. It already holds some of the hex, right? Because it absorbed some of my hex damage?” Seemed logical to her. “Put it in the box.”

“That…could work.” Zach stared at her in awe. “Are you sure you’re mundane?”

Kerry rolled her eyes. “Never cast a spell in my life.”

“Hmm.” He tapped the top of the box. “This is lined in copper. We can etch the runes on the top of the wood and inside, on the lining, just to be safe. I know what runes to use so it should only take a couple of minutes. Gen, you get the circle set up. Gareth, I want you to set the quarters. Gen and I are going to need all of our energy to get this shit off Kerry.”

“What about me?” Daniel crossed his arms over his chest as the others scurried around, responding to Zach’s orders.

“Keep Kerry calm.” Zach had a pen knife out and was digging into the wooden top of the box. “Lana and Chris are bringing essential oils from their stash.” Zach frowned at Gareth. “You’re low on lavender, by the way.”

“I’ll set up an Amazon order tomorrow.” Gareth set an amethyst quartz on the floor, marking north and the element of earth. “Remind me to renew my coffee subscription while I’m at it.”

“Rue, juniper, rosemary. Those should still work.”

Kerry listened in confusion as Zach muttered to himself. “Huh?”

“Those are the oils Zach prefers to use to remove hexes.” Daniel put his arms around her, pulling her against his chest as Gareth placed the incense burner for air right next to her foot. “We need to move back, sweetheart.”

She nodded, allowing him to pull her to the center of what would be the sacred circle.

“Yo!” The front door opened, Chris and Lana running in, Jo following close behind. “We’ve got the oils you wanted.” Lana shot Kerry a concerned glance.

Chris handed a small box to Zach. The scent coming from it was strong and slightly bitter. “Here. Is there anything else we can do to help?”

Kerry held up her hand. “Venti mocha light Frappuccino and a slice of pumpkin bread.”

Jo burst into laughter. “I could go for a smoothie myself.”

Chris stared at them both like they were idiots.

“What?” Kerry shrugged. “I’m hungry.”

They ignored her request, dancing around at Zach and Gen’s quiet commands until everything was set up the way they wanted it. Kerry watched, fascinated, as each of the Becketts took position in front of one of the elements. Zach took north, Gareth took east, Chris took west and Daniel took south, leaving Kerry standing between Jo and Lana.

Gen cast the circle, her athame glowing with pale green light. She pointed the tip of the blade toward the geode and began a stately walk clockwise, or deosil, around the circle.

“I lay down the circle white,

Symbol of purity and might.

May evil be blinded by the sight.”

Yellowish-white light gleamed along the tip of her athame, casting an odd glow around the circle. Kerry was pretty sure it wasn’t supposed to look like that, but what did she know? She wasn’t a magic, she was mundane.

When Gen was done she was once more at the geode. She began the second circle, her voice deepening as she spoke.

“I lay down the circle blue,

For protection sound and true.

May evil not pass through.”

A circle of navy blue light surrounded them, but Kerry didn’t feel any safer. If anything, she felt the need to move, but to where?

Gen began the third and final circle, her brows furrowed in concentration.

“I lay down the circle black.

Justice comes to those who lack.

May evil intentions break and crack.”

This time the tip of the athame quivered the entire time Gen cast the circle. Blackness poured from the tip, rising from the newly formed circle like a dark mist. Kerry was scared crapless. What the fuck was that supposed to be?

Zach grinned maliciously as Gen stepped next to him. He knelt before the geode, his body enveloped in an eerie white glow. “My turn.

“North and Earth I call on thee.

Join me in my circles three.

Grant me your stability.”

Kerry felt the world shift beneath her feet. Nope, something was seriously off here. She stumbled, clutching air trying to catch herself from falling.

Gareth lit the incense, blowing out the fire before calling the element of Air.

“East and Air I call on thee.

Join me in my circles three.

Grant me your creativity.”

The scent of rotten eggs filled the air and Kerry gagged. Was she the only one who could smell it? Everyone else seemed…

Well, they seemed off too. Gen looked almost demonic, Zach was nothing but a pair of glowing blue eyes, Gareth was wreathed in cold purple flame and Chris, her best friend’s mate, was glaring at her like he wanted to kill her.

Kerry began to fidget. The longing to run from the circle was growing within her.

“Shh. It’s going to be fine.” Lana took hold of her hand, but it was icy cold, her palm clammy. Her face… Oh gods, Lana’s face was dead, pale, her lips blue and her eyes sunken. Kerry could hardly breathe from the fear running through her veins.

“We’ve got you, Kerry.” On her left stood a woman wreathed in smoky fire, her eyes burning coals. The scent of burned flesh was sickening as Jo’s skin crackled in the heat of her own flames.

Daniel knelt before the candle, a lighter in his hand. As he lit it, he intoned his invocation to fire.

“South and Fire I call on thee.

Join me in my circles three.

Grant me your energy.”

Kerry couldn’t take her eyes off of Daniel. He was savage, half man, half beast, his arms covered in deep black fur, his eyes his wolf’s. Even when Chris began his own invocation she could barely take her eyes off of the animal now stalking toward her, intent on killing her. Her teeth began to chatter as visions of her imminent death flashed before her eyes.

And yet, still, she couldn’t imagine Daniel harming her. The tug of her heart was too strong, too fierce to truly believe that Daniel would do anything other than protect her with every fiber of his being. So why did she still want to run from him?

Run. Yes. She had to run, to get away, get out of this circle of madness and flee for her life. Do not pass Go, do not collect two hundred dollars.

Chris’s voice interrupted her thoughts as he called out to the last element.

“West and Water I call on thee.

Join me in my circles three.

Grant me your clarity.”

Zach and Gen headed toward the makeshift altar.

Kerry tried to free her hand from Lana’s. No. She had to run. This wasn’t right, nothing was right, she had to go before Daniel reached her. She wasn’t some stupid heroine waiting for death to reach her. Nope. She was skipping her happy ass right the fuck out of here, and to hell with anyone who got in her way.

“I have you.” Strong arms wrapped around her, holding her in place. Her breath came in pants, her vision becoming hazy as the panic set in. Kerry struggled against that hold, kicking and hitting with all her might. She needed out, she’d die if she didn’t get free. Daniel would kill her.

The growl in her ear was fierce. “Fight, Kerry. It’s the curse, not us, not you. C’mon, girl. Don’t let them win.”

Before she could answer, Zach and Gen had begun.

“Lord of shadows, dark’s embrace,

Hear me now, know my face.

Your faithful child cries out to Thee;

Join me in my circles three!”

“No!” Kerry lifted her feet off the ground, hoping her weight would give Daniel pause. He barely seemed to feel it as she continued to struggle, wriggling with all her remaining strength. She could feel his hot breath on her neck, his fangs descending, tearing at her flesh, her hot blood pouring down her chest as her vision went dark.

Gen’s voice filled the void, strong and sure.

“Lady of the darkest night,

Hear me now, know my plight.

Your faithful child cries out to Thee;

Join me in my circles three!”

Gen lit the silver candle.

It was done, and Kerry was lost in a sea of despair. She began to sob uncontrollably, sagging in Daniel’s arms, unable to stop her heart from breaking. How could they do this to her? She’d done nothing to warrant the pain they were inflicting on her.

Daniel howled, the wolf’s cry sending chills down her spine. Somewhere off in the distance an owl hooted three times, sounding her doom. The scent of rotten eggs enveloped them, making her retch.

“Hurry up, Zach. Something’s seriously wrong.” Daniel’s growling, barely human voice had her holding back a scream. Her chest hurt, her pulse pounding in her ears.

“Hecate, Lady of the Night—”

Kerry wailed in anguish as a vision appeared before her of a woman bearing death’s grin.

Zach’s voice rose, thundering with malice.

“Help this witch to put things right.

What this harmful curse has done

Let it now be undone.”

The woman reached for Kerry with clawed fingers. Kerry pulled against the wolf-man’s hold. If that creature touched her, she was dead.

The creature began to speak, its voice hollow, echoing with darkness.

“Lift from Kerry this vicious curse.

Forever across this wheel traverse.

An it harm none, by the Law of Three,

As I will, so mote it be!”

The pain was unimaginable as something inside her broke. A brilliant flash of thick, green light blinded her, flowed
from
her toward the box on the altar. Kerry could feel the tug and the pull, the curse desperately clinging to her as the magic pulled it out, propelled it toward the copper lined box and the dust inside.

As Kerry’s vision began to clear, the panic that had ridden her dissipated. The hex was expelled from her body, leaving her worn, broken and aching like a motherfucker. But at least her vision had cleared, and she could see what had really been going on all along.

The vicious death-masked woman was Gen, holding her hand before Kerry, directing the flow of the curse as it tried to wriggle free of the binding of two powerful Own. Zach stood next to the box, his brilliant white light forcing the sickly green curse to remain in the box.

Inside that box the hex roiled and circled in on itself, a sea of chaos too large for the container it was in. As more and more of the poisonous hex was removed, Kerry’s vision cleared. Daniel was no beast-man intent on devouring her. Lana was just Lana, but with tears in her eyes. Chris’s jaw was clenched as his gaze darted between Lana and Kerry. Gareth watched his mate with fear in his eyes.

“You’re okay. We’ve got you. I’ve got you.” Daniel held her tight when her legs gave out from under her. Her vision was darkening once more, but this time the relief that filled her had nothing to do with the hex and everything to do with the knowledge that she was free. Her thoughts were on Daniel, the odd tug stronger than ever as she collapsed in his arms. The last of the hex left her and Zach slammed the box shut, freeing her from the dread that had filled her the moment they’d begun to cast.

“Daniel,” she exhaled, collapsing in his embrace. She allowed the darkness to take her, aware she was safe in her wolf-man’s arms.