Page 21 of Bad Moon Rising
Talking to the curse like it was a sentient being didn’t help. Intuitively, he recognized giving magic an identity made it more powerful. But he viewed the curse as a parasite, one he would one day exterminate.
The pain spiked. He gulped in air.
Nova continued to rub circles on his back. She murmured something he could barely hear. It rhymed. “By Earth and air, fire, and water, so shall you hear my call. Peaceful and calm protects us from all.”
At her words, his back warmed and tingled. Everything in his head flatlined out into a relaxed tranquility. She spun magic?
Now he didn’t know if he’d made the curse back off or if whatever spell she conjured had done it.
He craned away from her touch. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
“You looked a little green and were falling apart. Is this too emasculating? A macho guy like you can’t handle a backrub in public?”
“I’m not ungrateful, but what was the poem about?”
Her eyebrows drew together. “I don’t know. It just came to me. Did it help?”
He shrugged, still skeptical.
“Why’d you have a panic attack? You don’t like hospitals or something?” Her hand was back on him, this time softly squeezing his forearm. The warmth of her fingers burned him through his light jacket. Residual magic. That she, apparently, had no clue she wielded.
“It has nothing to do with this place,” he grumbled.
“The text, then? What’d Flynn find out that was so bad?”
He swallowed against the dryness of his mouth. His pulse picked up and muscles tightened. “We’re here to figure out what’s going on. Maybe get your memories back.”
Trust reflected in her eyes. He didn’t deserve her faith in him. Trust also entailed an understanding he’d protect her, which he couldn’t promise.
Gut instinct urged he keep her close. Someone marked her with his name for a reason. Until that reason became clear—which he hoped to find out here—he’d keep her secret. He’d protect her against everyone, even Gerard. His wrist smarted.
I didn’t say I’d go after Gerard. Simply saying I’d keep her safe.
Guess that meant he wasn’t dumping her with his brother to take off for his meeting in England. Aside from the fact Flynn would make a terrible babysitter since he was so easily manipulated or distracted by women and technology, Roman couldn’t stand the thought of her relying on Flynn. He wanted to be the one to figure this out for her, to protect her, and be the one she trusted.
Roman shot to a stand. The itch to ditch the smell of forced sanitization, death, and crisis burned at him. “Want anything to drink? I’m going to grab a soda or something out of the machine.”
Nova evaluated the vending machines. “I don’t think I like soda.”
He strolled to the snack and soda machines in the corner. Nothing inside interested him. He turned and watched her. She seemed anxious, although she tried to hide it. He was glad he’d taken the time to find a clothing store open late so they both could change. The jeans and sweatshirt somehow made her sexier than last night’s leather outfit with her boobs spilling out.
He resumed the seat next to her.
“This seems very…” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Human.”
“Dom is an emergency doctor.”
“How’s he going to help me?”
“He moonlights here for kicks. Not sure why. Maybe boredom in his old age.”
“You’re going with me, right? I can’t go do whatever’s going to happen by myself?” She grabbed his hand and squeezed, her eyes wide.
He wished to ease the desperation in her voice. “I’ll stay with you.”
He texted Flynn:Did Dom say he’d be here when you called?
Flynn:Yes.
