Sure enough, inside the box were forty-eight bottles of blood.I closed it up again and gave Delilah a look.
“Not everything is out to get us, but let’s get busy before another demon does end up on Chase’s tail.My wards are standing against them, but it won’t be too long before someone bigger and badder than my magic can handle shows up.So let’s get this spell on the road.”
“Do you think you can…” She hesitated, blushing.
“Cast it without fucking up?I don’t know, but I can try.”I led both of them into the living room, where I set out the components.“Chase, I need three of your hairs.Either you pluck them, or I will.”
I set out the mortar and pestle, then dropped the dried Golden Chain berries in the bowl.I added the ruby and lodestone, and began to crush them together, grinding the stones with the pestle.It took some doing, but our Fae blood left us a lot stronger than our human heritage.I managed to crush the gem, which was about the size of my pinkie finger.
Chase handed me the hairs.I used a pair of scissors to cut them into the dust.Then I added one vial of the pixie dust.After cautiously stirring them together, I picked up my dagger and pricked the tip of my finger.
“What are you doing?”Chase asked, grimacing.
“Hush.I’m preparing the spell.”I squeezed three drops of blood into the mixture, then stirred everything together into a thick paste.That ready, I turned to Chase.“All right, up to my study.We need a place where we can close the door and that’s uncluttered.”
Clutter affected magic, and the last thing I needed was for my spell to go south because of a few cobwebs.
As we entered the study, I turned to him.“I need you to lie on the floor.Delilah, tie his hands and feet—and yes, before you protest, it’s necessary.”
Chase didn’t look too happy about that.But he settled himself on the floor and I handed Delilah a pair of silver ropes.She wound one around his hands, tying it tight.She then tied his ankles together.
“Ready,” she said.
“What’s this supposed to do?”he asked.
“I’ll be applying the paste to your forehead.It will seep into your energy and root out the demon magnet.If you find yourself struggling, don’t worry.But I need to know that you can’t break away.If any demon’s already attached to you, it will be bound as well.”I turned to Delilah.“You need to leave the room now.”
She nodded, withdrawing and shutting the door behind her.
I began to cast a Circle around us, then sealed it.
As the energy rose, I tried to ignore the desire that began to creep up my arms, through my legs, into my stomach, where it circled like a churning fire.Magic made me hungry for touch, it made me want to grab the nearest man and throw him to the ground to ride him hard.But I wasn’t about to put Chase through that—especially since he already wanted me.Sex during magic was problematic unless you were already paired with the other participant.
I tried to ignore my proximity to him as I leaned forward and gently smoothed the paste over his third eye.My fingers gently stroked his forehead.I stared into his eyes as I worked, and he held my gaze, breathing deeply as I continued to build the paste in layers.
“Camille,” he whispered, throaty.
I shook my head, ignoring the hunger in his voice.“Hush.Let me work.”
“Will it hurt?”he asked.
By now, I was breathing deeply, too.“I don’t know.I don’t think so.”
“Your fingers are so soft,” he said, shivering under my touch.
I inhaled a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, trying to avoid thinking about the fact that he reallywasa handsome man.Not at all my usual type, but I hadn’t fucked anybody in several years now, and I missed the feeling of a man brushing my breasts, touching my thighs, filling me full.
No, you can’t do this.You can’t have him.He’s not the one for you.You’re just feeling the magic—let it be what it is, and finish your task.
The Moon Mother’s voice brought me back, and I strengthened my focus.I took another long breath and let it out slowly, then I finished applying the paste.Scooting back from him, I set the tenzar next to his head.
“We’re ready to begin,” I said, my voice shaky.
“Are we?”he asked, holding my gaze.
“Just listen to my voice and when you feel the energy trying to pull away, let it go.Imagine freeing it from your aura.”I began to chant.
Round and round,through and through,