Page 390 of Castings & Curses

It wasn't the first time either of us had said it. I just wanted some of my possessions back. The others had been destroyed when the hotel was hit by a meteorite. I didn't even have a change of clothes to my name.

"Probably not," I agreed as I grabbed my gym bag and hurried into my bedroom to gather up some clothes and possessions. Yes, I used to go to the gym. It was more a choice than a necessity.

Aurelia and I had planned out our fast-trip in advance. I could fly again! It was marvelous. Aurelia kept a lookout, which she was able to do through the solid ceiling of the house. At least it was a standalone house and not an apartment. It meant we weren't placing anyone else at risk.

The angelic hierarchy had made this address available to me, and they always endeavored to give their agents some privacy… when they weren't hunting them, apparently. I already knew a house in the city with this much space would be worth a small fortune.

I was in the mood to sell it, just to piss them off, but it probably wasn't wise when they finally trusted me again and were leaving me alone. I shelved the idea for later, deciding to see how things panned out.

"You have a nice place," Aurelia said as she glanced around the house. "It reminds me that the angelic hierarchy gave me an address I could use too. I haven't even checked it out yet."

"It might serve as a useful backup location," I replied. "I'm sure Riga will let us stay at Enchant as long as we need to. She's grateful just to have the shield reinforced, and to have me around more. I think I've become something of a daughter to her."

"That's wonderful that you have," Aurelia replied.

I pulled out my drawers, rummaging through them to find what I needed. I knew it was reckless coming here. I could've gone and bought new clothes, but some things held meaning for me. This, for instance — the dress I wore on Misha's opening night at the Bullfinch Gallery. That was a night that would never come again.

With a sigh, I stuffed it into my sports bag, along with many other things — though not as many as I'd have liked. I'd lived in this house for years, ever since I'd first become a muse on my first assignment. The familiar atmosphere was comforting, even knowing the risks.

"Melinda, we need to get going," Aurelia said. "Time's a-wasting."

With a last look around, I hurried back out into the living room. I had to take a couple of Misha's sculptures with me. They were all that remained of him now.

Aurelia changed back into her angel form, invisible to mortals, and I changed to pure energy. My bag remained solid, so I extended my energy field around it to change it to the same form I had. I didn't need confused mortals seeing a gym bag flying through the air.

We flew back to Enchant in record time. It was truly wonderful to fly again. My power to fly had been locked away for years. I didn't know what I was thinking, letting them do that to me.

I felt like I was truly discovering myself again. I was free. I just wished that Misha was here to celebrate it with me. He hadn't even known I was a muse — just a patron who helped pay his bills and encouraged him to keep on creating, in exchange for some limited edition sculptures.

We arrived back at Enchant safely, and set down in the hallway outside the room we'd shared. The shield was left open in several places now so that people could come and go from the bar, but Riga had the ability to close it again at a moment's notice. She wasn't fast in her advanced age, but I was certain she would be with this, if she had to be.

I took human form quickly, and gave my sports bag a shake when it was slow to transform back. With that done, I waited as Aurelia took form beside me. She was smiling, like she'd been on a fun adventure. Maybe my mischief was rubbing off on her, though I think it was more recklessness than anything else.

We were both relatively powerful beings. We didn't have to be super-careful, though Raphael was a reminder of the risks.

"I'm going to get a warm shower and change into some fresh, clean clothes," I said with a cheery demeanor.

"That sounds like a good plan," Aurelia replied.

I could tell she was happy for me. She really was incredibly beautiful, with her bright eyes and ringlets of blonde hair. She had a stunning figure, and I was sure shapeshifting had nothing to do with it.

"Want to join me?" I asked with a wink.

I was sure she'd say no. Absolutely sure. The blush of her cheeks and her silent nod caught me off-guard.

"Really?" I asked, completely dumbfounded.

She leaned in close to my ear and whispered, "Yes," before touching her lips to mine.

Shocked didn't cover it. Aroused did.

I drew her close into my arms as we kissed, hoping that somewhere high above in heaven, Raphael wouldn't be watching. It seemed unlikely with the shield in place. I wasn't even going to finish that thought. I had plenty of fun ones to occupy me instead.

* * *

Aurelia'sangelic lips were as sweet as they were needy. She pulled me against her, as though she couldn't get enough of me, and I held her in my arms. Soon, I craved more and I sensed she did too, so I helped her out of her jacket and top. She was lovely, whichever clothes she wore.

Her jeans were a little more complicated, as they clung tightly to her tempting curves. She smiled up at me seductively before removing them herself. There was nothing that could make me look away from her, though she kept distracting me with warm kisses.

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