Page 1 of Possess Me at Midnight
Chapter
One
Rion Estate
England
* * *
Sabelle
* * *
My brother is dying, and I fear I can’t stop it.
With every hour that passes, I hear death beckon, feel its breath on the back of my neck. Bram, it calls. Follow me into the dark. I clutch my brother’s hand, trying desperately to anchor him in this mortal plane.
When I became a fully transitioned witch, I acquired the ability to touch others and make them feel whatever I wish. In the last sixty years, I’ve perfected that skill. A rare few are immune to my gift. But in this moment, I have no idea if Bram can feel the healing vibrations I’m sending his way. If he can, they aren’t improving his condition.
Curse the mysterious black cloud of smoke surrounding my brother, slowly smothering his life force and, I worry, his magic. And damn Mathias d’Arc, one of the evilest wizards ever, for attacking Bram with it.
Fighting back tears of anger, I clench my fists, my fingernails cutting into my palms, and try to decide what to do.
Just yesterday, we tangled with Mathias, who escaped his exile after hundreds of years. Last night, the healer Conrad, along with my Aunt Millie, examined Bram. Neither knew what magic created and sustained the deadly smoke. Nor could they explain what damage it caused…or how to eradicate it.
They only know it’s draining the life of the person I love most in this world.
“Can I come in?”
At the familiar male voice, I look over my shoulder. Lucan MacTavish, my brother’s best friend, hovers in the doorway with a concerned frown.
“Certainly,” I murmur.
At first glance, he’s clearly exhausted. I’m sure I look even worse.
Neither of us has been the same since this bloody magical war started.
Mathias recently abducted Lucan’s mate, Anka, and broke their sacred mate bond. While he was incoherent with grief and suffering acute mate mourning, I provided Lucan vital energy through a sexual exchange—the way magickind generates all magical energy. Bram bolstered and protected him, putting a roof over his head, and eventually Lucan healed. Somewhat.
It’s no surprise he wants to help my brother now in return.
“Any change?” Lucan caresses my shoulder.
The gesture surprises me. A gentle warmth spreads from his touch, unexpected and confusing. He never touched me while bound to his former mate. But now that Anka has chosen the arms of another, and he knows I provided the sexual energy to keep him alive, has that changed our friendship in his eyes?
Nibbling on my lip, I risk a glance in Lucan’s direction. He’s a beautiful man. Coffee-colored hair brushes his strong nape. His shocking blue eyes lure a woman from between a thick fringe of black lashes. His mouth… He knows how to kiss; I learned that…eventually. Over time, he became less frenzied with mate mourning and pressed his mouth to mine. The skill of his kiss shocked me.
Someday, we’ll both need a mate. Becoming Lucan’s would solve many of my problems…
Except I don’t love him.
I shake my head to clear my thoughts. His gesture means nothing; it’s merely one of comfort. Lucan still has strong feelings for Anka. And it is impossible for me to think about my future when my beloved brother might soon pass to his nextlife.
“No,” I whisper.
Lucan urges me to my feet and cups my shoulders. “Come eat. You’re worrying yourself to exhaustion.”
I pull away. “I can’t leave Bram. What if he wakes and needs me?”
