Heart of the Witch (16 page)

"Okay, fine. Maybe there is." Nick didn't know why he said it, other than that he was tired of the other man asking. "Here are the names of the Tin Man's victims." Nick tore off the piece of paper and shoved it across the desk at Marvin. "I'll send you the link for a Web site where you can search for information about them. Jot down anything you see that raises a flag. Anything that might link the victims or make them a target. You understand?"

Marvin's face beamed like xenon headlights. He picked up the sheet of paper and held it almost reverently. "Sure, I can do that. I watch a lot of those forensic investigation shows. I know exactly what kind of data you're looking for."

Right. You couldn't
even find the sticker on your T-shirt
. But Nick didn't say that. He said, "Great. Let me know what you learn. Take your time—I want you to be thorough and not miss anything. How about you just give me a report by the end of next week?"

Marvin nodded ecstatically. "Sure thing, dude." He left the office, all but skipping, his head bent over the sheet of paper.

Nick leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, feeling as if he'd accomplished enough for the day. He'd learned there was nothing new to know about the victims, and also he hoped he'd gotten Marvin off his back for a week.

He felt bad for the guy. In the course of their acquaintance, through conversations that Nick hadn't initiated, he'd reluctantly learned that Marvin had had a rough childhood: a dad who came in and out of his life, a mother who took out her frustrations with the dad on Marvin and his sister. No friends to speak of. His only friend growing up, other than his sister, had been a love of numbers. He had an uncanny knack for them and was an excellent accountant. Unfortunately, his appearance deterred many clients, and Marvin's business was about as successful as his personal life. When Nick had advertised office space for rent, Marvin had been the only one who'd answered the ad. Guess it was apropos. Two misfits brought together by fate.

Yeah, Nick felt bad for him, but Jesus, it wasn't as if he didn't have plenty problems of his own.

Ravyn opened the door to find her sister, whose arms were weighted down by plastic grocery bags. Taking a few to lighten her load, Ravyn stepped aside and let Sorina in, then followed her to the kitchen.

"Are you trying to gain weight before the wedding?" she grunted as she heaved the bags onto the counter.

"This is my last night to let loose. After this, I'm going on a prewedding diet. Swearing off junk food. But tonight I live it up."

Ravyn pulled tortilla chips, bean dip, candy bars and assorted other snacks from the bags. "Good grief! You're planning to OD on junk food!"

Sorina grinned. "I brought stuff for margaritas, too."

"Now you're talking. Grab the blender and I'll cut the limes."

Fifteen minutes later, the two sisters were seated on the sofa, holding icy margaritas and munching on Ruffles and French onion dip.

Ravyn grabbed the remote and began flipping through the movie channels. "Scary or sappy?" she asked.

"Sappy," Sorina responded. "Oooh, yeah, there we go.
The Notebook
." She grinned. "We'll see if you can keep from crying."

"You want me to cry?" Ravyn shook her head, surprised. "What for?"

"You never do. It would be good for you."

"Yeah, right."

"Seriously, you really need to learn. It's scary the way you keep all your emotions bottled up."

Ravyn sipped her margarita and shook her head. "There's nothing bottled up. I have nothing to cry about. Don't see the good it would do, either."

"Trust me, it's cathartic." Sorina worried her bottom lip with her teeth, then warned, "What I'm about to tell you might make you want to cry."

Ravyn blinked. "What's that?"

Sorina took in a breath, held it, then let it out slowly. "I'm going to tell Justin the truth."

"What?"

"I want to tell Justin about us. I just don't think I can marry him without telling him. He'll figure it out eventually, or at least see something that will make him wonder, you know?"

"You can't." Ravyn's voice was sharp.

"Ravyn, you don't understand. I can't keep something like this from him."

Ravyn set her glass on the coffee table and rubbed the condensation from her hands onto the thighs of her jeans. "You don't know if you can trust him. Not
really
. You don't know how he'll react."

"I do know," her sister argued. "I love him. That's all I need to know."

Ravyn gave a derisive laugh. "Right."

"Every man isn't like Kayne, you know," Sorina said. There was a hint of tears in her voice.

"No, not like
him
, maybe," Ravyn agreed. "But it's not worth the risk. A mortal? For God's sake, Sorina!"

"Not all mortals are bad. Justin is proof of that. And then there's Nick."

Ravyn rolled her eyes. Nick? That guy was really starting to get under her skin. She definitely didn't trust him. One look at those tempestuous blue eyes and she just knew he was trouble. A tingle skipped over her flesh, and she shifted in her seat.

"Didn't the past teach you anything? Didn't Mother's total betrayal of you, her total lack of concern for her child, that she allowed that man to—"

"Don't." Sorina's voice was tight.

"Don't what? Don't speak the truth? Don't remind you of what can happen when you get too close to a mortal?"

Sorina's face scrunched up, and Ravyn knew her sister was going to cry. She took Sorina's trembling hands in her own.

"I'm sorry. Really, I am. Let's not talk about it anymore. Just promise me you'll think about it more before you tell Justin the truth. Think about what it could mean. Think about the consequences. All of them."

Sorina sniffled and wiped her hand across her nose. Nodding, she squeezed Ravyn's fingers. "Okay." She was silent for a moment, then turned her watery gaze to Ravyn. "I want to ask you something, and I want to know the truth. Are you really okay? I mean, after what happened?"

"I'm fine." Ravyn turned in the other direction and picked up her glass, taking a long gulp.

Sorina placed a hand on her arm, and Ravyn turned back to face her. Sorina's eyes, normally so trusting, were full of suspicion. "What are you hiding?"

Ravyn pulled away and stood. "Nothing. You want another drink?"

Sorina shook her head. "No, I want you to tell me the truth. Something's going on. You know you can trust me. Talk to me."

Yes, Ravyn knew she could trust her sister. And she didn't feel right about keeping the truth from her. So… maybe it was time to come clean.

Not looking at Sorina, she began to pace. "I lied to you about not using my magic."

"What?"

"I used it to escape. I burned him."

"Burned him?" Sorina repeated.

"I… set his genitals on fire."

A gasp escaped Sorina's lips. "Oh, Ravyn! You didn't tell me! I didn't…"

"I knew it was wrong. It was just… out of my control. I was so angry, so outraged…"

Sorina stood and stopped Ravyn's pacing with a hand on her shoulder. Looking into her sister's eyes, she smiled. "You weren't wrong. You had to get away. That man is evil. I know we aren't supposed to harm another, but when it comes to life or death… sometimes we have no choice."

Ravyn shrugged. "Maybe."

Sorina hugged her. "It'll be okay. You did the right thing."

Ravyn sighed, feeling unreasonably aggravated with her sister for letting her off the hook so easily. She loved her with all her heart, but sometimes she was annoyed by Sorina's sunny outlook, her unfailing faith in mankind, her forgiveness, her perfection. No wonder their mother loved Sorina better.

"Let's cast a protection spell," Sorina suggested.

"That's not necessary."

"Please? Just to make me feel better."

Ravyn sighed. "Okay, fine."

Together, they cleared off Ravyn's oval coffee table to use it as a makeshift altar. Ravyn gathered the necessary items. She placed sandalwood incense in a censer and positioned it in the center, along with a round mirror. Around the perimeter, they placed nine white pillar candles.

Sorina nodded toward Ravyn, indicating she should begin. One by one, Ravyn lit the candles, repeating each time, "Light of the Goddess protect us."

Once all the candles were glowing, Ravyn picked up the mirror, and, making sure the flames were reflected in its surface, she chanted, "Great Goddess of the Lunar Light, secure us all this night. With this mirror to reflect the flames, your eternal protection burns bright."

She began to circle the table, keeping the flame of the candles reflected in the mirror. Sorina followed her lead, silently circling behind her. They had made six turns when the air in the room changed, charged with an electrical surge of energy. An aura of peace settled over Ravyn, and she was glad she'd let Sorina talk her into casting the spell.

"Now, the brick dust," Sorina said.

Brick dust was used to keep away evil. Ravyn and Sorina sprinkled it around all the doors and windows. Anyone who meant harm would not be able to pass the thresholds now.

"Feel better?" Ravyn asked.

Sorina nodded, and they doused the candles. "Now we can watch the movie."

"Wanna make a wager?" Ravyn asked.

Sorina's eyebrows lifted. "What kind?"

"I bet I can watch this movie without crying, and I bet you can't."

Sorina shook her head and laughed. "Only a dupe would take that bet. You're a freakin' robot."

Ravyn punched her lightly on the shoulder, then jerked a thumb toward the kitchen. "Shut up and go make me another margarita."

Sorina laughed and headed toward the kitchen. At the doorway, she stopped and looked back at Ravyn. "I love you," she said.

Smiling, Ravyn replied, "Back at you, sis."

Ravyn tried to open her eyes but couldn't. She wasn't sure if she was dreaming or awake. She was aware of Sorina's soft snores next to her in the king-size bed, but she couldn't see her.

A whisper traveled through the darkness. The words were indecipherable.

"What are you saying?" Ravyn mumbled softly, half incoherent. "Who are you?"

The voice became clear, although it still spoke in a whisper.

I'm your soul, your everything.

With those words came recognition. Kayne. Fear raced through Ravyn, and she knew she should wake up, but couldn't. A touch shivered over her breasts, lightly grazing her belly and moving down to her thighs.

She shook her head.
Please stop
.

You don't want me to. You've missed this as much as I have.

Yes… no! A
lump came to her throat. She squeezed her legs together but felt them being gently pried apart. She shook her head back and forth on the pillow, unable to resist the pull, even though there was no true force exerted. What
are you doing to me
?

Loving you
. Having
you. As I always should have. As I will forever
.

The sensation was stronger now: a hand on the inside of her thighs, stroking, hovering just below the crotch of her panties. Hot moisture trickled between her legs. Her nipples tightened. She still couldn't open her eyes.