Page 63 of Cocktails & Cauldrons

A quick check of the room showed Narissa transforming yet again. Her graceful fingers became elongated, and amethyst nails took the place of the tips. The claw had to be easily four inches in length and another two in width. Those fecking things could rip out a man’s throat with a flick of her wrist.

Narissa focused on Brenna and sent her a silent communication, which Eoin was also privy to.

“This is what you can become, but it will drain you if you don’t replenish your magic before shifting to your Siren a second time.”

He wanted to know how she was to accomplish the replenishing, but Brenna nodded slowly as she inched forward, one hand raised.“May I?”

After receiving a single nod of permission, she ran her fingertips over Narissa’s face, wings, and fingers. “It’s incredible, Narissa,” she said aloud, awed. “You’reincredible.”

The Siren smiled, and Eoin felt an answering pulse in his groin. Disturbed by the sensation, he shot a questioning look at Damian.

“You and the others should go to the farthest corners of the room, Mr. O’Malley,” the Aether told him in a strained voice. “You’re about to experience some powerful urges.”

Not caring for the sound of that, Eoin asked, “What the feck is happening?”

“Narissa’s Siren is unrestrained. It will seduce who and what it can in this state.”

“Brenna—”

“Is safe,” Damian snapped. “Now go.”

No more words of encouragement were needed for their small group, and they all hustled to the back corner of the room, away from the action.

The Aether didn’t approach the woman, but he didn’t back away, and the tension in his body could be felt in the suffocating air around them.

“He’s trying to contain her allure to that area,” Alastair explained, his voice low and shaken. “Her pull is undeniably strong.”

“I want to touch her,” Spring whispered as she folded her hands over her heart. “Just once.”

Before Eoin could respond, Alastair latched onto her arm and urged her behind him.

“No, child. You need to resist the temptation and especially your curiosity. The Siren feeds on desires. Yours is to discover all you can about her. Never doubt they are dangerous creatures. Even if they haven’t given in to the darkness, the instinct is there.”

“Why take the chance?” Eoin asked angrily. “What the devil is this entire feckin’ spectacle about, then?”

“Weren’t you paying attention, son? Only another Siren can puncture Brenna’s skin for the blood Dethridge needs.” The irritation in the other man’s voice slapped at Eoin, causing his skin to prickle uncomfortably.

“What’s this? Are ya determined to take a poke at me?” he demanded. “Bring it!”

Alastair turned on a dime and lifted his hand. The air around them sizzled as he drew the molecules into his palm and created a swirling ball of energy.

“Uncle, this isn’t you.” Spring lightly touched his back and encircled the wrist of his raised arm. “Nor is it you, Eoin. Pull it back, fellas.”

Confusion and uneasiness clouded Alastair’s countenance, and he shook his hand out to dispel his magical weapon. “I apologize, Eoin. It appears I’m not myself at the moment.”

Shoving aside his own pique, Eoin nodded. “We’ll put it down to Narissa’s unintentional seduction, yeah?”

Brenna’s sharp cry had him ready to battle again in an instant, and he spun, prepared to charge to her defense. Alastair and Spring grabbed for his arms and drew him back to the safety of the corner.

“She’s fine, son. Narissa merely scored Brenna’s hand for Damian.”

“Jaysus! Am I always going to be a feckin’ eejit where the woman’s concerned?” Placing his fingers to his temples, he dug in. “What is it about her that sparks my inner Neanderthal?”

Alastair surprised him with a short laugh. “That’s love, son. No special magic involved.”

Brenna couldn’t believehow damned bad her palm stung, and it occurred to her she’d never endured the pain associated with a cut before. But as quickly as Narissa sliced her palm was as fast as the wound began to seal, and her blood sizzled off, dispersing in a puff of smoke.

“I need that droplet!” Damian leapt into action and gripped her wrist, only to be smacked across the room by Narissa’s wing.He landed with a grunt, and with a rough shake of his head, he climbed to his feet and prepared to take on one angry-ass Siren.

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