Page 40 of Rebel Spell
When Diana had stopped us, Diego’s mood darkened as quick as a falling curtain. Not only had his expression soured, but the tension was palpable from his rigid posture. How different from the man I had danced with minutes before. He’d been relaxed and had a smile on his face, clearly enjoying himself. But when we kissed, passion simmered. Although we were in a room of hundreds, it seemed like it was only us. Our connection entranced me.
That was until Diana had interrupted and broken our magical cocoon. She was freaking gorgeous with perfectly styled, shiny, silvery-blonde hair that made me think of a mermaid. Not that I’d ever seen one or knew if they existed. The way she loomed over me with her statuesque, willowy figure made me feel like a troll next to an immortal supermodel.
Worse was how she affected him. I forced myself to stand tall and squeezed his hand for some moral backup. After all, when he’d stayed with me when I’d tried magic for the first time in years, his presence seemed to strengthen me. Could I provide the same comfort to him?
Not by his expression. He appeared lost, haunted—somewhere beyond where he could be reached.
Hell, I hated what she’d done to him. What I’d do to fix the damage.
Once we stepped outside the hotel, I asked him, “Are you okay?”
Diego’s expression turned tormented as he stood statue-still beneath the full moon. Slowly, he pulled his gaze to mine, as if wrestling with an inner beast.
“Yeah, I’m okay now.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her.”
“You did great,” I said with an encouraging smile.
He exhaled with a shudder before one side of his mouth rose with a hangdog grin. “I thought I blew it by blurting out the whole fiancée thing. Thanks for covering my ass.”
“Not a problem.” I touched his shoulder. “How was it seeing her again after all this time?”
He snorted. “Like a punch in the scrotum.” He shook his head. “How could I ever have fallen for someone like that?”
Not sure what he meant, I replied, “She’s quite attractive.”
He scowled. “She’s as cold and impenetrable as a frozen lake.” Wonder radiated from his bright blue gaze. “Nothing like you, Nova.”
He pushed a tendril of hair off my cheek. “You’re warm, like the summer sun.” His eyes darkened with smoldering need.
“Oh, Diego.” It’s all I could manage to say. The intensity in his hungry gaze held my breath captive.
“You’re everything she’s not.” He swallowed and tipped his head down.
My heart thundered with renewed anticipation. Before his lips met mine, the spell was broken by a woman calling my name.
After I pulled back from Diego, I searched for the source. “Colleen?” I was about to ask what she was doing there, but stopped myself. The ball was hosted by the Network. Of course she’d be there.
She glanced at Diego and then back at me. “Can we talk alone for a minute?”
“Sure.” I glanced at Diego. “I’ll be right back.” Although I hated leaving him after the emotional torment left him so vulnerable, I couldn’t blow Colleen off to say I was busy and about to make out with a vampire.
Once we stepped away from the hotel and into a nearby park, Colleen asked, “Were you able to clear the darkness?”
“Yes.” I beamed with pride. My smile vanished when I glimpsed the worry on her face. “Why?”
“Nova, another witch has been killed.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
“We’ve had so many troubling reports lately that we can barely keep up with the calls. Tonight, we learned of a mysterious death of a young witch. Dark magic was found at the site.” She pursed her lips. “I should have come and investigated more when you’d reported it at your house. The Network had come to get her body, and I figured they would have picked up on anything that was off. And you’d seemed uncertain…” She planted her hands on her lips. “No time for regrets. I came to warn others, such as yourself.”
I placed my hand over my mouth as my pulse escalated. “Oh, my. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Yes, go home and shield your house and those inside with protective spells,” Colleen directed.
My mouth fell open.
“Margaret placed many on the property around the house, but as the new owner, you should reinforce them with your magic.”
