Page 91 of Obsession

Shifting back into his human form, Damion strolls over to me. The ties around my wrists and ankles disappear, and the circle around me goes up in flames, burning off the magic until it quickly extinguishes.

I was on pins and needles hoping she’d sign the contract, I mentally tell him, hugging him tight.

That’s a terrible pun. He grabs my face, kissing me possessively.

“How’d you find me?” I ask a bit breathlessly when he pulls back.

“Vivian said B.B. went absolutely crazy—meowing and carrying on. Your cat knocked a map down and began scratching a hole through it. Vivian showed me the map, and I knew exactly where you were. I finally was able to find Delilah’s probate file yesterday, and learned she not only inherited the farm in West Memphis, but she also inherited this small farm in Memphis. And guess who owns it now?"

“Lucy.”

“See, you're more than just the eye candy of the showmance.” Someone clears their throat, and we both glance over, realizing Delilah’s corpse is still being animated by my mama. “And you must be Cora. I’m Damion Blackmon, your daughter’s boyfriend,” he says, flashing his dimples. “A pleasure.”

I’m not sure if your charm works on a dead woman. Turning to the ghostly figure, I ask, “Mama, is it true? Is Augustus my daddy?”

I startle because the Angel of Death now stands beside me. He’s wearing a long white flowing robe with scythe in hand, his midnight-black feathery wings tucked in tightly behind him. “Lucy, you’ve got some splaining to do,” Azrael tells me in a Ricky Ricardo accent.

“Your I Love Lucy accent is better than your southern accent,” I inform him. “And poor choice, because this Lucy is an absolute psycho.”

“Why is a southern accent so hard?” He turns to my mama. “Cora Rae Brooks, it’s time to go with me. I’ll not have you give an Angel of Death the slip a second time.”

“Wait! Mama, who is my daddy?”

“I’m sorry, there’s no time,” Azrael solemnly announces. “Nah, I’m just messin’ with ya. Go ahead, I’m dyin’ to know.”

“I’m not sure,” Mama says. “I was with Augustus, but before him, I was seeing a sorcerer. He was into something called chaos magick.”

“Chaos magick,” I quietly groan, rubbing the once bald spot on the back of my head. I take it all back—Universe, you have a horrible sense of humor. Absolutely horrible. “What was this chaote’s name?” I ask.

“Please don’t go looking for him—he’s dangerous.”

“I can’t make that promise.”

“Aubry, the things he was into made my magic look like rainbows and kittens,” my mama warns.

“As you can see, I’m in love with a demon, so the rainbow-and-kitten ship has already sailed,” I point out. Damion smiles triumphantly, kissing the top of my head.

“My stubborn daughter. Will you do this, then? Please tell Vivian I’m sorry for everything I put her through, and that I love her. Tell Callie I’m sorry we grew apart, but that I love her too.”

“I will,” I say, choking back the tears.

She looks over to Damion. “And you, demon, treat her right or I’ll haunt you until your dying breath.”

“I will,” Damion says as he squeezes my hand.

“Aubry, sweet girl, I love you.”

“I love you too,” I say, dabbing my eyes.

She turns to Azrael. “I’m ready.”

“Wait, one more thing! How do I break Bettina’s curse?” I ask.

“You don’t, because I never followed through with the curse. Anything negative she’s experienced is by her own doing. But to break Lucy’s spell that made Bettina obsessed with Augustus, cut all the knots in that black rope tied around the poppets,” she points to the rope hanging in the corner of the barn. She turns back to Azrael. “I’m ready.”

“And I’m ready. It was a difficult decision, choosing between two wonderful, yet different houses,” Azrael announces.

What the hell is he talking about? Damion mentally asks me.

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