Page 6 of Captivating Magic

And what about Spencer? She had to remember to ask him when things weren’t so fucking terrifying.

“Don’t know for certain, but I’d recognize that stubborn expression anywhere.” A half smile curled his lips, but quickly dropped away. “We’ll get it sorted, but I need to contact a friend first.”

“Oh, yeah. Sure. Okay.”

What the fuck else could she say, anyway? Something like,“Oh, yeah, and while you’re phoning a friend Who-Wants-To-Be-A-Millionaire style, why don’t you call a shrink for me?”

Laszlo’s mindwas reeling as he stared at Ebba’s ghostly form across the room. So far, she refused to speak, glaring between them as if she were furious he’d come to the rescue.

Perhaps she was.

Ebba was independent. Had been since they were children and her parents left her to her own devices. Her entire childhood was their generation’s version of a latchkey kid. The loneliness radiating off her had prompted Liz to take Ebba under her wing and bring her home. But it was Ebba’s engaging personality and can-do determination that had gained the Thornes’ respect.

“Listen, I’m going to lift you onto the counter, and I want to examine your ribs. Then we’ll clean the glass from your feet. Is that all right with you?” he asked her spirit self.

“Yes—oh!” Eyes wide, the corporeal Ebba in his arms blinked. “You weren’t talking to me.”

If the situation weren’t so serious, he’d have laughed at her confusion. As it was, a split soul was exceedingly dangerous. Lo had to find a way to rectify the matter—and soon. Because if the soul was fractured, as hers appeared to be, other evil entities could make her body their plaything. Andthathe wouldn’t let happen.

As he shifted her against his chest, a white-hot ball of energy whizzed past and halted behind him. He hated to keep his back to the salty spirit, but he had to trust neither Ebba would hurt him.

“Seems your ghostly self is keeping watch to make sure I don’t do anything untoward,” he said dryly as he set her on the counter.

“Or maybe she’s mad you haven’t yet,” Ebba quipped, and then she blushed to the roots of her hair. “Fucking A! I don’t know why I said that.”

He grinned. “Maybe she’s your filter.”

Wide-eyed, she nodded. “That seems reasonable enough.”

Staring at him as she was, with those large brown eyes eating him up, her mouth slightly agape, and a becoming flush, Ebba caused his pulse to race. The hammering in his chest felt different from anything he was used to and was uncomfortable in a way he didn’t like.

The wonder fell from her as she shook her head and looked away. He could only assume he had unknowingly scowled. Charlotte was always bitching at him for his involuntary expressions, saying things like he could frighten small children.

“Did I, um… did I scare you with…” He swirled a finger around his face and tried to suppress his frown.

Ebba’s head whipped up, and her brows crashed together. “What? No! How… why would you think that?”

Shrugging one shoulder, he turned. His confidence had taken a hit when she ran from the coffee shop. There he’d been, attempting to be all flirty and suave, and she’d bolted like a greyhound out of the gate, chasing the mechanical rabbit.

Her hand shot out, gripped his, and tugged him back around. “Lo? What’s this all about? You can’t honestly believe you scare women, right? You’re the nicest guy I know.”

“I thought my suggestion at the café and magically breaking down your door might’ve turned you off.”

Ebba sandwiched her lower lip between her straight, white teeth, and her eyes flared wider.

He held his breath as he awaited her response. Why did he have to bring either of those things up? Did he have a tumor, or had he grown terminally stupid in the last half hour?

Her small snort preceded a giggling fit, and she released his hand to press her fingertips to her mouth. Tilting his head, he smiled and fought the urge to laugh with her, though he didn’t know what she found so amusing.

When she had her humor under control, she shook her head. “Okay, first, your statement at the café didn’t scare me. Not in the way you think, anyway.”

“What other way could there be?” His brows met.

“I’ll circle back to that. Second, the magical rescue was hot as hell and greatly appreciated. I mean, I don’t know what the hell to do about that busted doorknob tonight, but it was worth the cost of a locksmith to see you in action.”

Lazslo laughed. “I’ll fix the door before I go. I promise there will be no out-of-pocket expenses for any of my rescues.”

“Whew.” She swiped a hand along her brow and grinned, but her expression froze in abject horror as her gaze locked on something behind him. “Niall!”

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