Page 157 of Castings & Curses

Sage clutched the bobcat pendant in her fist. “Do you remember Zelda Helwig giving this to you?”

He tipped his chin down. “Nope.”

“Do you remember we spent the night together last night?” Silence gave his answer. “What do you recall?”

He slumped his butt atop the old, weathered picnic table, pain lancing his body, evidenced by the shudders renting him. “What’s happening to me?”

“Zelda spelled you and used spelled charms to bury your memories and keep you compliant to her demands.”

His spine jolted straight. “Spelled me how?”

“She coerced you, repressed your memories, suppressed your actions.”

“Why?” He smoothed his fingers over his scalp, winced. “I’m roasting inside.”

Sage mumbled another spell and sprinkled witch-water on him, expanded her witch-air spell to cool him off. “The pain you’re feeling is from Zelda bonding you without your permission. She coerced your actions.”

Nobody had busted the door down, and someone must have barricaded the main entrance to the witch-house, otherwise, witches and warlocks would’ve swarmed the patio. The break wouldn’t last forever. Laying her hand over his heart, Sage intoned another counter-spell, hoping to scrub out the coercion spell quicker. “Do you remember anything?”

“Warlocks abducted me. Told me it was a hazing ritual. You said nothing about hazing, so I didn’t believe them.”

Relief untied another knot in Sage’s shoulders. “They lied to you. What else?”

“They locked me in a room on the Helwig covenstead. Then Zelda came in and asked if I’d accept her bond. She made me recite…” His voice trailed off. “That bitch.” Shock seized him with a sudden jerk of his head and a wide-eyed expression. “Sage,” he breathed out her name, all the weight of their intense time together in the one word. “It’s coming back.”

Sage leaned down and pressed her lips to his. Instinctively, he stood and wrapped her in his weak arms as if she belonged there, the only one who could re-energize him. He deepened the kiss until they were both forced to seek air. She mashed her breasts against his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. He buried his face in her hair, his hands smoothing over her butt and up her back. His touch intoxicated her more than any tequila shot.

“Do you recall us now?” she asked, emotion splintering her voice.

“She erased you from my memories. I remember now.”

Sage sagged against him. “How bad is the pain?”

“Lava’s gushing through me.” He sifted his hand through her hair. “Sage, god, you’re the sunshine in my dark hell.”

“Do you still want me?” she demanded, loving his hand plying her hair.

“More than anything I’ve ever wanted.”

“Good. Because I refuse to give you up to Zelda. I need you, want you. The goddess meant for you to come to this festival. For us. You’re the only thing that matters.”

His mouth opened but nothing came out. He scratched his cheek and said, “Not sure I can join your world. It’s already done a number on me. But I want you more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Absolutely. Can’t we just run away together?” He quirked a sluggish eyebrow.

“Everything will improve once we sort out this bonding business. If Zelda doesn’t release you without a fight, I'll compel her to break the bond. She forced an illegal coercion spell on you, not giving you the choice you’re allowed. She’ll face extreme consequences either way.”

“Then what happens?” Wincing, he rubbed his stomach.

“Then I bond you. If you’ll accept me.” She winked.

Footsteps rushed around the corner of the witch-house. The clock had run out.

“Sage!” Her aunt halted on the walkway at the side of the building. “You need to bring the meeting to order. The Helwigs are out of control. They’re gunning for you.” Jessica’s tabby familiar raced around the patio searching for threats against its master. The cat stopped and growled at the door where the internal uproar played out. Sage tipped her head to the side, a memory attempting to disrupt her. She thrust it into a crypt for another time.

“Go settle them down,” Sage commanded. “We’re coming. Also, pull the bylaws. Zelda committed an illegal coercion spell on Rafael.Afterabducting him.”

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