Page 356 of Castings & Curses

They expected her to stay away.

They would be right.

“Sure. But tonight, I just wanted it to be us. Here. Together,” Devi protested. If Kate wanted to go, then she would, but the last thing she wanted to do was be out in public and deal with other people’s expectations, witch or otherwise.

“Just dinner with the coven, okay? Your mother is expecting us. Mine too. After that, we can go dancing.” Kate’s lips quirked into a flirty smile that faded when she took in Devi’s expression. “We don’t have to, I mean. If you really don’t want to.”

And she didn’t.

Despite the risks they were taking just by being together, she didn’t want to hurt her. Every time they touched, there was a very real possibility the goddess would bind them.

Witch and familiar.

Mates.

Which she had gone and done tonight.

Fuck.

Goddess, she was so stupid.

In her heart, she knew there would never be another for her. But in her head, she balked at the shackles they kept trying to put on her. Demon or otherwise.

Being a detective was a hard job and one that didn’t follow a nine to five schedule.

How was she supposed to be a good mate in that reality?

“The coven knows full well why I left.” A slow burn of anger began to simmer in her gut. Her mother found ways to ruin everything even after she was dead. First her coven family, and now her time with her girlfriend. She jerked the back off the earring and fastened it, repeating the action with the other ear. Two diamonds sparkled back at her in the glass.

Her mother had never approved of her wanting to become a detective, or anything other than a bond between a witch and a familiar. She might as well have told to stay barefoot and pregnant. That was how she felt. Even if that person was Kate.

Why couldn’t she just be left alone to live her life?

But the one thing Devi never wanted to do was hurt Kate, and if she was honest, and told her how she felt, that’s exactly what would happen.

“Are we going to talk about it?” Kate put her hand on her arm.

“No.” Devi sighed. There were no words that wouldn’t make things worse. “I want to enjoy the night.”

“So, let’s get out of here.” Kate looped her arms around her and held out a small silver tube. “This is for you.”

As her fingers reached around the lipstick, a zing of something she recognized as Kate’s magic kissed her skin.

Too bad it was as bittersweet as the look she gave her as they walked out the door.

That was the last night they spent together.

She hadn’t called. Neither had Devi.

It was just too fucking raw.

Seven years had gone by and she wasn’t any closer to getting over it.

The car stopped and it jolted Devi out of her memories and back into reality.

“Jesus.” The normal Texas landscape of pine trees and occasional oaks had shifted into shadowy swamplands. Her skin prickled with unease, her inner cat’s ears turning down in disapproval.

The night seemed deeper here. But not like it used to.

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