Page 57 of Last Resort

“Try not to dwell on things,” she told him as she turned the key in the lock. “You’ll feel better in the morning.”

Erik knew she returned the protective vigilance by watching from her window until he was back to his door. He waved in acknowledgment, and then ducked inside, setting the alarm and lock on the outer door even though he doubted Ben was home yet. Ben had the key and the code, and Erik felt better with as many precautions in place as possible.

As he had guessed, Ben was still at work. Erik put a frozen beef stew in the oven, not having the spoons to worry about fixing a meal from scratch.

He lit candles in cedar, cinnamon, and clove scents, letting the calming and purifying fragrances fill the air. Then he took a silver chalice down from the cupboard and reached for the small bags of dried herbs Alessia had given him, selecting basil, angelica root, and poplar to add to the cup. He spoke the words of blessing the witch had taught him, then dropped a match into the chalice.

The ingredients sent up an aromatic cloud. Erik closed his eyes and breathed deep, letting the protective smoke waft over him, turning to expose all sides of his body. Between the candles and the burning herbs, the scents soon filled the apartment.

When the herbs burned to ashes, Erik set the chalice in the sink and carried the candles with him to the bathroom. He stripped out of what he was wearing and tossed it in the laundry, pulling out fresh clothes that smelled of lavender.

Erik ran a hot shower and reached for a special bar of soap he kept for occasions where he felt desperate for cleansing that went beyond sweat and dirt. The eucalyptus and mint soap from Alessia’s store carried a hint of extra energy in it as well as her blessing. A tingle of positive magic eased his soul.

He lingered in the shower, breathing in the warm, moist air and letting the protective scent of the soap fill the curtained enclosure. He could almost feel the tension and negative resonance from the attack washing away, replaced by a sense of well-being and an awareness of safety.

He wasn’t a witch, but Alessia had assured him that not all rituals required special training or more energy than his abilities provided.

“Psychic powers are a type of magic, after all,”she had told him.“We can all do different things, but the energy rises from the same root.”

Feeling much better, Erik ended the shower, toweled off, and got dressed. Then he made a cup of green tea with ginseng, trying to reset from the inside out. He closed his eyes and repeated one of the centering mantras Alessia had taught him, a short phrase that helped him concentrate and keep his thoughts from spiraling.

His phone rang, and Erik realized he had completely lost track of time, having fallen into a light trance.

“I didn’t know what headspace you were in, so I thought I’d let you know I’m turning off the alarm to come in,” Ben warned him. “Didn’t want to worry you.”

Ben’s thoughtfulness made Erik smile. “Thank you. I’ve been trying to let go of the day.”

“So it’s going to smell like the bath bomb shop at the mall?’

“Afraid so, but I’m much calmer now,” Erik replied with a smile.

“Then it’s worth it. See you in a minute.”

Erik had started to set the table and pour drinks by the time Ben hurried inside.

“Smells good.” Ben took a deep whiff and smiled.

“Beef stew,” Erik replied.

Ben shook his head. “No. I mean, that too. But you, the apartment—smells like home.”

He interrupted Erik’s dinner preparations to pull him into a full-body hug. “I’m glad you’re okay.” Ben held Erik tight. “When Susan called me, all she knew was there were shots fired. I was so scared, imagining all kinds of possibilities. Please don’t get killed.”

Erik felt tears well in his eyes and returned Ben’s bear hug. He heard the worry in his boyfriend’s voice and felt him shaking.

“I’ll do my best not to,” Erik promised. “I’m okay. Not even a scratch.”

“This time.”

Erik ran a hand up Ben’s neck and through his hair. “One day at a time is all we get. And I definitely have plans to spend all of mine with you.” Erik kissed Ben when they stepped apart and cupped his cheek with his hands. “Let’s eat. We’ll both feel better.”

As they ate, Erik told Ben about Alessia’s call and the plans for the ritual.

“Hell, yes, I’m going,” Ben said. “I’m glad you realized that.”

Erik smiled. “I figured you’d want to be there.”

“Someone has to watch your back when you’re doing all the witchy woo-woo,” Ben replied, taking another bite. A bag salad, frozen loaf of garlic bread, and a good bottle of red wine made the last-minute freezer casserole a hearty dinner, one of Erik’s favorites.

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