Page 107 of Kiss of Magic

“You died, Blue. You were bona fide dead. For real.”

“I…” she looked at him, all laughter gone. “How long?”

“Hours. Since midnight. I don’t know how the fuck you did it but if anyone could, I knew it would be you. You are one powerful witch, Blue.”

He kissed her again, on the mouth this time, and for a long delicious moment she thrilled to the touch of his lips. Then she pushed him away again.

“Something doesn’t feel right.”

Immediately he set her down on her feet and backed off, raising his hands apologetically.

“Christ, I’m sorry. You’ve just been through a traumatic experience and I’m mauling you like an animal.”

“No, it’s not that.” She frowned, trying to put her finger on it. “Something’s changed.”

She looked over his shoulder and he turned to see Lenore and the rest of the coven. Reluctantly, he made way. As much as he wanted Dani to himself right now, he recognised this was witch business.

The coven leader leaned on her stick and studied Dani keenly.

“How do you feel, child?”

“What’s going on, Lenore? How am I alive?”

“I am uncertain. The ancient texts were very clear about the chosen witch dying once her destiny was fulfilled.”

A look of alarm crossed Dani’s face.

“Did it go wrong? Are the demons still loose in Nush’aldaam?”

“No. I spoke to the palace. There were many battles and many casualties but the demons are gone.”

“They’ve been locked away again?”

“Better.” Lenore’s eyes gleamed. “They have been destroyed.”

“Destroyed?”

“Completely. You weren’t just the key to their prison, child. You were the key to their annihilation. Your bravery has rid the realm of demons for good.”

Dani didn’t know what to say. She looked at the rest of her coven sisters and suddenly they were surrounding her, hugging her, kissing her, laughing and crying at the same time.

Blake moved away, not wanting to intrude and feeling horribly like a spare part. He stepped outside the stone circle, noting as he did so that all signs of the women within faded to nothing. All he could hear was the trilling of birds, and all he could see was the rising sun.

Impressive. Magic would be damned handy for a hunter.

He sat down to watch the rest of the sunrise, trying to ignore the little tug of worry at his heart. Dani would find him when she was ready.

Or maybe she wouldn’t. Maybe she’d leave with the rest of her coven. He’d know soon enough.

Inside Stonehenge, the wiccans finally made room for Lenore. As the elderly wiccan hobbled forward, Dani was engulfed by shame.

If she’d done what Lenore had asked her right from the start, fewer people would have died.

“I’m sorry I ran,” she said quietly. “You said there were casualties. How many?”

“There are always casualties in war, child.”

“But how many? How many before I went through the ritual?”

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