Page 55 of Cocktails & Cauldrons

“Is it possible to steal an Aether’s magic?” She didn’t want to know for any other reason than curiosity, and she hoped it came across that way.

“Yes. Through death, a transference can occur.”

The idea that someone might attempt to murder his beautiful daughter caused Brenna to catch her breath. True evil existed in the world; her aunt was proof of that, but that it might touch Sabrina hurt Brenna’s soul. It also firmed her resolve. No one would harm any children on her watch, not if she could help it. “Then I suppose we need to defeat as many big baddies as we can so it never happens. I don’t know who her Uncle Alex is, but if his brother is as dastardly as Aunt Odessa, he needs to be stopped.”

“His brother is Loman O’Connor. I believe you recognize the name, if not the man. A heinous person that shouldn’t still draw air.” Damian rubbed the back of his neck as he contemplated her words. “You’d be willing to turn into a Succubus to stop those with wrongful intent?”

“I would prefer to find another route and forgo becoming a Succubus altogether, but if it means protecting Sabrina and those like her, then yes, I’ll do what I must.”

“And you know that if you do, it will be at the expense of a relationship with Mr. O’Malley?” His question sounded more like a threat.

“I suspect that relationship has been doomed from the beginning,” she said with a hollow ache inside her chest.

His gaze traveled past her to someone just beyond her shoulder.

Dreading who might be there, Brenna turned to see Eoin, hands balled into fists and indignation stiffening his entire body. His furious scowl verged on frightening.

“You’d throw what we have away, Brenna? Without speaking to me first or trying to find a solution? It doesn’t matter that I love ya, then?”

Her heart pinged at his declaration, but the unloved and unwanted part of her rejected that he could ever care for her.

“What do we have, Eoin?” she asked flatly. “Nothing but a newly formed work relationship, possible friendship, and a few kisses between us. You don’t know me well enough to love me. And even if you did, we have the whole burning-touch situation going on.”

He stalked into the room, stopping at the proper distance to ensure it wouldn’t affect her. His arms came up like he wanted to embrace or strangle her, but he dropped them as quickly. “Sure, and my family’s broken curses before. We can do it again.”

Her heart positively ached in the face of his bravery and determination. Emotion kept the words she longed to say lodged as a solid lump in her throat.

“And I do love you, Brenna Sullivan, because I know you. Better than anyone and better than you know yourself.”

With a shake of her head, she denied his claim.

“I do, love,” he said achingly, barely above a whisper. “I’ve seen how uncomfortable you are in a crowd, but you still attend every opening so the artist showing their work feels like he or she has someone in their corner. I know that every new piece is your favorite and how you lose yourself in the wonder someone else created.” His expression was raw as he gazed at her, and it was as if he’d forgotten Damian was in the room. “You have a fierce sense of right and wrong, Brenna. And despite the fact it embarrasses you so, you’ll stand up for the injured party every time. Like you saved me from Odessa’s monster at the hotel, and like you put yourself in her path to prevent her from latching onto Alastair.”

“None of those things make me special, Eoin.”

“Now there you’re wrong, love, because they do. They do tome.” He uncurled his fists and shook them out as if he’d forgotten he had clenched them. “I want to show you something. Will you come with me?”

“It won’t change anything.” She could never be with him without it costing his life in the end.

“I think it will.”

Helplessly, she looked at Damian, silently begging him to interfere. But he stood impassive, a complete poker face, and she understood why he was the perfect judge and jury for wayward magical beings.

“Perhaps you should go, Brenna.” He finally said, giving her a half smile. “You need all the facts before making up your mind.”

CHAPTER 22

With each second Brenna took to decide, Eoin died a little inside. He’d arrived at the door to hear her claim she’d do whatever it took to fight ‘big baddies’ to save children like Sabrina, should they require it. Sacrifice was grand and all, but she didn’t need to become inhuman to do it. In fact, he suspected if she gave in to that side of her, she’d be the one Damian would annihilate to save his daughter.

Eoin lifted his gaze and met that of the Aether, and he received the confirmation he needed. Whatever it took, Eoin needed to make sure she never gave in to the call.

“Okay,” she said quietly.

His relief was profound, and he wanted to grab her and kiss her. The knowledge that if he did, he’d practically fry her to a crisp kept him firmly in place.

“It’s in the tower room,” he said with a gesture toward the door.

A wry smile curled her lips, and she gripped a red, leather-bound book to her chest like a lifeline. “Are you sure you aren’t luring me to a far-off place to lock me away?”

---