Page 89 of Unhinged Magic
I dug my fingers into my hair, my head hanging low. Were these words true? Was I the reason she could not live a life full of love with her own fated mate?
I hadn’t considered my own actions could cause such a thing. How did this happen?
I considered my next options, but it seemed there was only one. I was not ready for it. To let her go.
A long sigh. “Then you give me no option.”
I beg your pardon?
Confusion distorted my thoughts, and I looked up to find her drinking swiftly from an amber jar. I didn’t understand.
Rising to my feet, I froze, watching intently as I tried to sort my thoughts into something plausible.
Setting the bottle on the ground, she held a hand over her heart, digging out a phone from her coat pocket. Dialing a number, she waited momentarily before the call connected with whoever was on the other end.
“Reid, it’s me,” she said on a shaky breath. “I need you to find Wes and bring him to Moldsworth manor.” A quick moment before she spoke again. “Yes, now. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t urgent.” Another pause. “It has to be you. I need you tobring me back.” A tear slid down her cheek at her last sentence, her voice cracking as if rupturing her from inside.
Relief sagged her shoulders. “Thank you.”
After disconnecting the call, she dropped the phone to her bag, swaying on her feet. She reached for something, only finding air.
I didn’t understand what was happening. Did she not feel well?
Slowly, she lowered to the ground, laying on the hardwood floor circled by candlelight. One hand rested on her heart, the other at her side, fumbling with something in her hand.
When she spoke, it was so soft I wondered if I had imagined it.
“I told you I would come to you.”
A dullclunkand the small glass bottle fell from her hand at her side, rolling onto the floor. I stepped closer, moving around her, not understanding any of this.
What are you doing, darling? Why are you on the floor?
Her lashes fluttered until they closed over the exquisite irises that felt like home to me.
Was she sleeping?
No!
I dropped to the floor, my knees hitting the ground with a thud. Instinctively, I ran my fingers around the edge of the jar, one usually found in an apothecary.
Darling, no!
A tremor shook me as realization hooked itself inside me.
“What have you done? What did you take?” Every word caused my stomach to knot tighter, the burn in my throat to intensify.
She lay motionless beneath me, and I wanted to grab her shoulders, pull her to me, hold her close.
“Oh goddess, what have youtaken?”
Her last words slammed into me; was she trying to cross over?
I adjusted my suspenders before resting my hands on my slacks, dumbfounded. Lowering beside her, I stared up at the ceiling, watching as candlelight danced up the walls. I wanted to take her hand in mine, lace my fingers through hers. But that was impossible. I couldn’t touch the living.
With quiet acceptance, I stilled, one soul waiting for another.
I whispered into the depths of the living room. “If you are coming for me, I will wait for you, my love.”
