Page 46 of Wicked

I didn’t know that. I thought it was just the warlock Timber hired.

“Do you have another suggestion?” I ask.

Ken presses his lips together. “I… know someone. But I’m not supposed to advertise their services. They provide spells by invitation only. I’ll ask if they can help. There’s just one problem. They won’t accept the sacrifice of a body part. That’s how they stay under the radar. Their clients have to give up something that they could explain away to other people.”

What do I have that I could give up?

“What about money?” I have money now. Not as much as Anne or Andrew, but a lot more than I’ve ever had before.

“Is money important to you? The sacrifice has to be equally valuable to what you’re asking for or Magic won’t accept it.”

Then no. That money means nothing to me. What about my property? No, I haven’t even stepped foot on that land in almost two years. What else could I sacrifice? The only other thing that matters to me is my work with Anne, which I am no longer doing, and my friendships with the other red wolf shifters I escaped the pits with. Well, that and my scripture study group.

My blood runs cold as I realize what I could sacrifice. It would be more than enough. It’s my everything.

It won’t come to that. I’ll figure out something else.

“Let me think about it. Call me if you find a Warlock who’s willing to help,” I say.

Until we have a willing Warlock, what I’m willing to sacrifice doesn’t matter.

16

Candlewick

There’s another knock on the door. What is it this time? Has Steel found more boxes for me to sniff? Will Buddy offer me companionship from one of his Illusor friends? Don’t they see that it’s hopeless?

I had the man I wanted, and he left me.

“Go away!” I call out. No one can help me now.

The door opens, and a wonderful scent fills the room. It’s musky and subtle with hints of soap and lavender. I’d recognize that scent anywhere.

I twist around in the bed and see Manny standing in the doorway. He couldn’t appear more heroic to me if he was riding a white horse or a dragon.

“You came back,” I say, not sure if I should believe it. Maybe Steel gave me some kind of potion to knock me out, and this is some kind of heat-induced dream.

Manny closes the door and rushes to me, wrapping his very real arms around me. They feel solid and warm and so very, very wonderful.

“I’m sorry, Candlewick. I know an apology isn’t enough, but I’m here now, and I’m going to fight to keep you.”

I shake my head against his shoulder. “But we can’t keep each other. We don’t have a warlock. There isn’t time—”

“Shhhhh. We will make time. I will move heaven and earth to make you mine. Do you hear me? Heaven and earth.”

I break down crying. Surely, this can’t bemymate. My mate is too confused to say something like that.

“You’re scared of sex. I can’t be yours. I want to, but I can’t.”

He holds me tighter against his chest. “I am scared of sex, but I have a few tricks from a therapist that might help.”

I push him away, certain I didn’t hear him right. “A therapist. You went to a therapist for me?”

He gives me a sad smile. “Yes. For us.”

The things this man says. It may sound stupid, but there is nothing more romantic than an alpha admitting he went to therapy for our relationship. Especially this alpha.

My stomach lurches, and the yearning between my legs becomes unbearable. “Manny, please. I need you.” I grasp the fabric of his shirt and hold on tight. If he leaves again, I don’t think I’ll be able to bear it.

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