Unethical Magic - Sherry King

Unethical Magic
Sherry King (2012)

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CHAPTER ONE

My fifteen-minutes-late client nowhere

I pawed through my bug-green book bag for something to read. I usually carried a few secondhand paperbacks from the big pile under my bed, but tonight I came up with only the tattered cover of the bodice ripper I finished yesterday. Frustrated, I scowled and

something in the way her features harmonized tipped the scales from pretty to beautiful. She wore a fringed suede dress and no coat, even though it had to be below freezing outside. Smiling, I turned the barstool. Could

gray-sliver disks, pupil and iris indistinguishable. Pale face and dark hair. Canines, thinner and sharper than dog or cat fangs, protruded behind carefully made-up lips.

She extended a white, claw-tipped hand. Ladylike pale pink polish looked downright garish against dead flesh. “Lavina.” My fear smelled acrid and sharp. I made myself shake the hand.

Gross. My stomach hollow and scared, at the same time, some sick part of me wanted to giggle. Everyone I tutored hated free writes, even vampires, apparently. “Free writes are supposed to be easy stream of consciousness stuff, graded by word quantity, not quality.”

“The alternate topic is my favorite food.” I smiled for real, seeing the humor in Lavina’s problem—despite my own problem. She snaked a long, inhumanly

pinprick fang tips rested—worn from whoknew-how-many years biting herself in the lip. “You put on a good show, but I’m better than a lie detector. I hear your heartbeat, smell your fear.”

Like a bad movie cliché, her fangs flashed white against red lipstick and pale skin. A high-pitched titter. Me? Ki, please shut up and think your way out of this. “Am I so amusing? I’ve had a busy

to. My arm wouldn’t move. My legs— similarly stuck. “Let’s just hold you until I decide what to do with you.” Lavina ordered a gin and tonic from

will against whatever she used to hold me frozen in place. I forced the heavy black thread of my determination through the eye of a very small needle. Cramped and twisted by Lavina’s power, the thread bent. I tried again, and my arm jerked up, following the stymied

two. Your boobs.” The vampire dropped the deep mesmerizing stare to look at her tits. Heart pounding like Aunt Ida’s old shake-shimmy washing machine, I wriggled

The keep-still whisper amplified to a scream. I ignored it. I tried to appear frozen in place from the waist up. Hands under the counter, I fumbled in my purse for the blessed

confessed what I’d done. I still had no idea how to set it right, hence this current mess. Karma really is a lopsided bitch. My purse seemed stuffed with used tissues and useless paper handouts from various meetings and classes.

nothing could excuse his clothing choices. Rock-star chic as a man, Jim Bob in drag made the queen mother’s mother look sexy. Nose red from the cold, except the stark white tip—a textbook near-frostbite case in a thin polyester evening gown and no coat.

lovers. Finally. Inside the purse, my blindly groping hand found the blessed-with-holywater cross, and I opened my eyes. I’m not Catholic, just sort of Christian when it feels

“Lavina,” she trilled, eyes still locked to Jim Bob’s Adam’s apple. “And you are?” He held out a hand. “James Robert. Call me Jim Bob.”

Bob be dinner for the undead. Blind to the supernatural, he wouldn’t even see what killed him. Hand shaking from my tight grip on the cross, I lifted the holy object from my bag and held it high, like van Helsing in all those cheesy movies. “Hey bitch, over here!”

The corners of Jim Bob’s pool-blue eyes wrinkled in puzzlement. “Are you girls having a catfight? Let’s not get ourselves arrested, eh?” I grabbed Jim Bob’s arm and started

scared me, though. I told myself the crossinduced seizure had confused her brain. I let the cross hang loose in my hand and bent closer to that horrible face. “What?” “You’re safe from me.” She released

a high-heeled instep. Typical Jim Bob! Hitting on someone while I tried to save his life. I could’ve been long gone if not for him. “Get a move on, Jim Bob!” He howled and hopped on the good

so much before but not now? Maybe something else had made Lavina flip out and babble nonsense. Not the cross. Something— or someone powerful. I straightened and full-body collided

sweaty grip. Maybe I should get out the holy water, too, because it seemed the cross could use a boost. Lavina crouched as if to spring at me. Mr. Sexy spoke. “Stop.” The voice a

CHAPTER TWO
Stop.

Lavina. Human or not, she’s too powerful to be scared blind.” Amusement shone in golden eyes so he looked like a cat playing with the mouse before eating it. Lavina’s eyes narrowed, resentful.

so-pretty face. So she tried to scare your sight away.” I hid the words away in the back of my mind to consider when my heart quit beating so fast. I concentrated on the way he moved in

Say more. Eyes still locked on mine, he reached down and caressed my hand, softer than a breeze. I swallowed my spit. I could move.

track of the conversation. I reminded myself I had to leave with Jim Bob. “Okay.” The now-familiar paralysis settled over me. “Don’t run away. If you’re ever in trouble, say my name three times and I will be

“What subject?” He couldn’t mean me harm if he wanted to know my major. “English.” “English!” He laughed. “I once counted the English my enemies during the

depths. I stepped back, away from him. Cudougnay smiled. “You can move all on your own. A human, powerful but untrained, shrugs me off?” I could move now, but I stopped anyway. Not because he commanded me, but

Cudougnay’s perfect face showed surprise. Surprise and maybe hurt. Taken aback by this vulnerability, I decided to be a little more polite. “No thanks.” He gathered himself and smiled.

Jim Bob and I stood in the doorway. At last. I stared into Cudougnay’s owl-yellow eyes, a nocturnal creature’s gaze in a handsome human face. I made myself breathe. Cudougnay inspired an impossible longing.

CHAPTER THREE

“Why did you give that human your

He shed material essence, becoming as invisible as the air around him. He could fix things with Lavina later. Now he had to follow the girl who had fought off Lavina’s vampire compulsion and his own much

the door and down the street.

CHAPTER FOUR
Jim Bob and I shivered on the sidewalk two doors down from the Lucky

kindred spirit. Loved that haircut, too.” My skin crawled. Lavina’s silver-gray bug eyes, too big around for the lids to fit over them. No iris, just a black pupil in a gray globe. Fangs. Corpselike skin. All the things

peed on him. It took half the night to wash out all the sticky sap from Jim Bob’s thin blond hair. An illuminated giant hamburger saved me. Big Boy just a block away, despite being

help my grip. “Where’s your coat, Jimmy?” He shrugged, almost falling over again, catching himself with two hands on my shoulder. “I thought it ruined the line of my outfit.”

and wet boot smell as we lined up for a booth. My eyes started to water. Poor ventilation in the smoking section? Or maybe the patchouli notes in Jim Bob’s vintage Caesar’s Woman perfume? He bought the scent on ebay from someone who got it wholesale at Ceasar’s

With luck and caution, maybe I’d never see him again. Only… Parts of me wanted to see him again. The jerked around part wanted answers. The hot from that sexy voice part wanted

gender. “Did you hear what the guy said to me?” “Not really. Maybe he was high on something, because he didn’t make much sense.”

Jim Bob reached across the table and put a large French-manicured hand on my shoulder. “No need to get nasty, Ki. She is on the thin side, but then so are you.” I shrugged the hand away. “No,

Out to borrow some money, I figured. Good thing I didn’t have any. Considering how my job with Lavina went, not likely to get any soon, either. Lucky me. “Just don’t ever play with Lavina, okay? She’s got the big

He pouted, an expression he worked a lot. Back when he wore skintight jeans and white cotton shirts with a touch less eyeliner I found the pout endearing. Now it just annoyed me. What did I do to earn the pout? Oh. Oh right. He wanted me to pretend he was a girl.

Ida once-upon-a-time made it for me to eat after church. Crumble crust. Good enough for someone who brought disaster and lusted after unnatural things. I must have been frowning, because

The man didn’t quit! “You know my payday better than I do.” I resolved to spend next Friday avoiding Jim Bob and vampire bars both. “What—what about the tutoring?”

involved me finding a big target, flammable arrows and a bow so my client could shoot and burn his sister’s naked gasoline-soaked Barbie dolls. After he did his homework. Psychotic little shit. “No, maybe not worse than that. But I’m not working with Lavina

He shuddered and took another swig. This time he managed not to make a face as he swallowed. “It’s good coffee.” Funny. I could only guess he thought it was cool to drink coffee. Good for the image.

When I met him he dressed rock star glam, all androgynous sex appeal, tight jeans and chipped dark nail polish. He’d claimed to be straight. After we got together, he figured he couldn’t be cheating if he did it with a man. I thought different. We split and Jim Bob kept

really wanted him much as a lover. I just enjoyed his interest in me and wanted the chance to prove myself normal and attractive despite my late-appearing menstrual cycle and undeveloped body. Somehow we’d stayed friends. “Sorry. Just daydreaming. Do you

sleeping a different place every day, but I get scared it can’t last. It’s crazy, but I’m afraid everyone will stop calling me. I’ll stop being fun. Then I’ll have to get a job or something. And jobs don’t go too well for me.”

He grinned. “Great idea. Are you sure you don’t mind?” I worried about Jim Bob’s safety, but not his love life. I lied, “Nah, I’ve got someone else in mind.”

Andy. He’s cute with that red hair and green eyes. Sweet, with hidden, dangerous depths you could drown in. Plus he’s got the whole high-functioning poster child thing going for him. But he doesn’t swing my way.”

how Jim Bob affords a cell phone. I sure don’t have one. Anyway, I tried not to listen as Jim Bob suggestively begged Rodd for a ride. Jim Bob ended the call and took a few more sips of coffee. After a bit, Rodd’s little

Jim Bob hugged me and took off faster than you could say former future husband. I left more slowly, remembering to snag half a hamburger from an unbussed table for Meghan. I wrapped the hamburger in a

CHAPTER FIVE
Outside the Big Boy restaurant, the girl chattered with the young man dressed as a

mother, not even a social security number. No siblings. Cudougnay frowned, picking up on the closeness between the two he spied upon. They had been lovers once. But no longer. In

Something primal in him responded to Ki like the first time noticing a woman. Could she be the one?

CHAPTER SIX
All the way home, I told myself encouraging lies. If you don’t see them, they

tutoring session. No reason to think I’d ever meet her again. My nightlife didn’t rock like Jim Bob’s. Three. Is there a three? Feeling safer now. That’s three.

cross’ hard metal before I grabbed the squishy napkin-wrapped burger and bun. I turned to put the leftover hamburger I’d snagged from Big Boy into the lowest fork of Meghan’s branches. The stretch put me slightly off balance and I grabbed the slender tree trunk to

and mittens. Despite the low rent, the manager kept the walk and steps cleared because many senior citizens lived in the building. Someone stood on the top step. Staring at me. Cudougnay.

liquid yearning. It might have been smart to keep on running, but my feet—cold. Nowhere to go but here. Besides, he could probably pop in anywhere. I firmed my shoulders, glared and

go, Ki. Piss off the mysterious and powerful supernatural being. He smiled. “Crosses and holy water don’t work. You pull them out, it just signals to the vampires you’re immune to their

He watched my face, lingered over my too-pale eyes. “Yes, you do.” A moment’s outrage. He’s the freaky one, not me. Attractive, yes. Freaky, more so. “Thanks for telling me. Now leave me alone.”

At the moment, I couldn’t find anything wrong with the plan. I rubbed my face against toffee-colored lips like a friendly cat leaving her scent. He pulled me tight against him,

Horrified, I realized my soaked panties and jeans, my heavy breathing had passed the point of no return. I tensed, eyes shut, hardly breathing, helpless in the grip of the urgent climax ripping through me. Spots partied behind my eyes, and the stars above us

lovemaking be? Oh God, this must be what he wanted—to make women slaves. I’d cast curses night and day for another taste of him. Repulsion at the idea helped me overcome the need to beg this magnificent being to take me upstairs and ravish me on my little twin bed. I

“You are kick-ass powerful, but you don’t know a thing about how to use your ability. I can teach you how to protect yourself. How to use coercions on your enemies.”

face in the glow from the next building over. Wide eyes met mine in mute appeal, and long twiggy fingers twitched excitedly. I guessed Meghan really wanted to pee on Cudougnay, but after the incident with Jim Bob I’d threatened no more hamburgers if she ever did

perfect face until the heartbreak of not touching him became bearable. “Kiss your own ass instead.” A bit muddled anatomywise, but he got the idea. Eyes widened in surprise, he said,

the way he did me earlier. “Let her go!” He smiled. “Okay.” She sprang up wet-cat fast. To those who can see her, Meghan looks like a naked pre-teen, what my ever-optimistic Aunt Ida

history, that’s all. I’m native to North America, but Meghan’s people came with the European settlers. So she fears me. Where did you find her?” “She started showing up after I moved

steps. “I’d love to stay and chat, but I have early shift at the cafeteria tomorrow. Washing dishes.” Way to get rid of him. Magical rulers probably didn’t hang out with dishwashers. Depressing thought.

pupils, flashed need and frustration. I had a choice to make, a momentous one, I sensed it, and I didn’t have any facts— except one. The feeling this powerful man— creature—awakened in me seemed dangerous.

CHAPTER SEVEN
Reluctant to leave the warm square of light Ki’s window cast onto the snow below,

the form of unfinished business. Earlier, Lavina had sensed Death Walker activity in the alley behind the Lucky Strike. He’d killed the first one, but sometimes they worked in pairs. Cudougnay allowed himself to become one with the wind again and rode the air back

human face registered mild astonishment. “We killed all your tribe centuries ago, human.” “All but me,” Cudougnay growled. “I am not human. Not vulnerable like the tribe that adopted me. Depended on me.

long. Immune from whatever glamour made the death walkers resemble their own human prey, Lavina’s female vampires could also spot and kill the unnatural beings. Good thing he didn’t have to kill human-looking creatures.

disappeared, dead or banished back to its own dimension, hopefully forever. Cudougnay summoned fire to his hand, burning the walker’s contagion, and went to check the victim.

could spread through a whole city, causing untold death. What he’d guessed of their ultimate goal left him shuddering. Not in my city. Not this time. Someday the death walkers might

walker’s heart turning to ash in his hand, he’d listened for a minute. Voices argued, the vampire leader and a young woman. Notoriously bad tempered, Lavina often fought with any vampire foolish enough to challenge, but to argue with a human instead of enthralling—most unusual. Lavina enjoyed

sharp-faced girl stop, radiating concern for the vampire, along with her previous fear and anger. Lavina rose to fight again. The girl stood bird-thin and almost shapeless in the bulky winter coat, but moved

prompted. He put on physical form, always the same, a young warrior from the long-dead human tribe that adopted an infant spirit so long ago. This time he took shape wearing a favorite pair of modern jeans rather than the ancient warrior gear.

word again without the magical compulsion he’d used before. He fought the impulse to return to Ki, beg her to change her mind, stand outside her window all night until she emerged in the morning.

CHAPTER EIGHT
I stalked up the stairs, shut and double locked the door behind me, then flicked the

Time stuttered and rewound, a reel of film played backward. The card came back to my hand, unwrinkled. Cautious now, I put it on the kitchen counter. It stayed put. I picked it up and stared at it: Cudougnay; 9:00 Friday December 10; 1414 Ridge Street.

the hamburger, looking none the worse for the run-in with Cudougnay. I ran to push the window up, never mind the cold air blast. I wanted to ask Meghan about Cudougnay. I hoped against

up for that, she put long pauses between sentences. I blinked and tried to absorb Meghan’s words. Had Meghan seen? Liquid kisses, hard, taut body, straining, release… I wanted to ask Meghan more, but I’d

second for my Roots of the English novel class and trying to stay awake. The silly bitch, Pamela, thought she had problems. She should try my life. Evening meeting with Lavina, Queen

supernatural—some people see it and some don’t. If you don’t—like Jim Bob—no one can ever make you see it. If you do see it, there’s no turning it off. Just my luck. I’d do almost anything to change my luck.

almost as busy with school and jobs as I am. Maybe he felt disloyal changing things. Heck, for all I knew Andy really missed his mother, although I got the idea they hadn’t gotten along so well. I left a message.

through me. Would I keep the appointment? I knew I shouldn’t. Whatever Cudougnay wanted couldn’t be anything good.

CHAPTER NINE
All the next day, the fun and games I’d shared with Cudougnay burned at the back of

Andy jerked the door open and a second later a wide smile crossed his face as he took in my unaccustomed make up and smooth-brushed blow-dried hair. Slowly, he spoke. “Looking good, Ki.

if I saw Cudougnay again it would be to tell him where he could shove his stupid lust spell. The matching emerald green silky bra and panties I wore for my benefit only, not because I might pop by the card’s address tomorrow morning at the appointed hour for

Andy still lived his mother’s loweredexpectations plan for his life. I fought to keep my voice neutral. “Still bagging at Martin’s?” With the other disabled folks. Martin’s got a discount for hiring the disabled, and most of Andy’s coworkers weren’t able to read. Someone as smart as Andy shouldn’t get

to handle it. Andy, you should be proud.” One of Andy’s eyebrows crept toward his hairline, and he gave me the direct stare that always made me feel nervous. “Time to get to work.”

break.” Not the bad kind I seem to specialize in. “He’d notice.” It took a fail from both readers for the essay to be rejected. If we disagreed, Professor

his eyes. “Truer than you know in my case.” “Yeah, right.” I sat cross legged on Andy’s lumpy couch, a crocheted throw around my body for warmth, newly polished bare toes sticking out as I read and marked the

with Cudougnay. Again. The memory of my spontaneous combustion shivered through me, and I involuntarily squeezed my eyes shut. When I opened them Andy’s eyes locked on mine, the message unmistakable.

and sizzled. The rational part of my mind protested. “Nope.” Andy reached out. Slow and jerky, a hand landed on my bare foot. “Pretty toes.” Long pause while he controlled his mouth

Shaking inside, I picked up my essays and took them into the kitchen. I dropped the papers on the kitchen table and headed for the sink. I filled one of the jam jars Andy used for water glasses and filled it until it ran over.

Stupid. Stupid me. I read and graded the next three essays hunched over the kitchen table without seeing a word and had to do them over. Done with those. My hand trembled as I pulled the fourth

this. But I hadn’t kissed you then, had I?” He seemed angry, unbalanced, even more Uncle Fred than usual. The drinks I held threatened to slide through my suddenly sweaty grip. I put the

sírshilliud.”) What? I dropped the book bag strap and hugged myself, arms crossed over my middle. Had Andy’s eyes always been so pretty a green? His body so lithe and hot?

a fraction behind the thoughts flitting in those wonderful eyes. The cerebral palsy. Good to remember. Andy had already been dealt a bad hand. He didn’t need me. “Andy. I’m not a good person for you to be with. I bring trouble.” The thought of Cudougnay burned through me and I remembered. Crushed

brush. I wish, but you’re wrong. I am bad luck.” Andy’s gaze never left mine. “I’ll take my chances.” Something about the way he waited

flannel button up shirt, holding on as hard as I could. I leaned in closer, eyes the only planets in my universe, their gravity pulling me until our lips just brushed. Warm silk satin. Electric sparks. Even with Jim Bob’s gymnastics nothing topped Andy’s whisper of a touch.

Andy’s bedroom. I’d peeked in a time or two on my way back from the bathroom, curious about the childhood relics that littered Andy’s shelves and dresser. But now, with the backs of my knees

back of my mind. “Oh, I’m so glad I wore the nice underwear.” He grinned, all confidence. “You put it on for me.” I hadn’t. I just woke up feeling sexy.

should be feeling. With Andy I was different. I helped Andy tug his shoes off, and looked him up and down. Andy walked with a shuffle, almost a limp. I expected one side of his body to be different from the other, but he

stevedore’s hammer. The memory of Cudougnay’s erection pressed against me made me want to scream. How could I think of anything but my beloved Andy? Small and tight inside—Jim Bob had

I reached down to do the same to him, wanting to drive him wild. “Do you do like to be touched this way?” Andy’s breath hissed between his teeth. “Sometimes.” He twitched my clit,

I lay back and enjoyed, but I had my same old problem. I couldn’t quite climax, and my poor overworked cunny got painful and oversensitive from all those licks and nips. I tugged Andy up toward my face. I wanted to see his eyes, make sure he wasn’t feeling

seductive smile. I took the rolled rubber in one hand, him in the other. I gave the weeping slit a few slow licks. He leaned into the caresses,

good, I couldn’t help wanting to have that again. More. Again. But I still couldn’t find that elusive orgasm. Across the room, something exploded with a bang and a cold wind swooped through the room.

CHAPTER TEN
Knee deep in death walkers, Cudougnay knew when the spell took Ki. Reality shifted and Ki now loved another.

freely. He howled, accidentally creating answering thunderclaps as he slipped between earth and the world of dreams, in and out again, raced toward Ki. It shouldn’t be. He read the magical bindings through the air.

undo the spell. Cudougnay scanned the young murderer’s aura for immediate instability or violence. Unstable, but safe enough for the moment. He tore himself away from Ki’s naked beauty and rode a strong wind out onto the lake where he could thunder and howl

CHAPTER ELEVEN

I lay trembling at my realization’s force

“I didn’t find a rock or baseball or anything. Seems the wind did it.” He sounded uncertain. I kept my suspicions about Cudougnay to myself. The less Andy knew about

insecure. He took off the shoes and got back into bed, pulling the covers around us both. He’s not trying to get rid of me. I snuggled close and my last thoughts before I

card. I’d tried to flush the card down the toilet and burn it at the gas stove in the school cafeteria. I even stuck it into someone else’s backpack. It popped back into my hand each time, message intact.

until years later when she had her stroke. I waited a few minutes, but the card stayed in the trash. Alone in this, even if I did have a boyfriend now, no one would understand my victory over the card. Or my

CHAPTER TWELVE
Exhausted, Cudougnay sat in his comfortable living room and tried to

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A little cardboard sign at the front of

“Yes, thank you,” he mumbled. Haunted by a familiarity, I filled his glass. “Ki.”

He put a hand on my wrist, owning, claiming me. “Ki, please take this.” Something thin and dry pressed against my fingers. Another magical card. “You already gave me one,” I gritted between

this possible diversion. The Head Hostess— otherwise known as Chain Gang Boss— frowned at me from across the room. No doubt empty water glasses were crying out to be moistened. “I’ve got to get back to work.”

section could foil someone as powerful as Cudougnay. Bereft at being in the same room but so far away from him, the need to get closer went beyond any normal experience. I put out butter pats and poured ice water like crazy, keeping my eyes away from

early—now I couldn’t leave at all. I tried to throw off the effect like I had last time, but too torn and confused to summon the anger and willpower needed, part of me wanted to be trapped with him as the room emptied.

noticed. Her deep blue eyes saw a lot less than mine. Lucky. Cudougnay’s laugh teased the air, bewitching and rakish. “I hoped you’d stay.” Mad, now I pushed back against the

never.” The few late-leavers didn’t seem to see us. We stood in a bubble outside sound and motion didn’t penetrate, alone in the room. “Ki, a spell once cast and settled is

words and stance. Two things sank into my numbed mind. First. He knew about Andy. He’d been following me—or spying? Oh God, I hadn’t just imagined his presence in the room, his eyes on me. Second. He threatened Andy and

you.” “Liar.” Time to get this conversation back on track. Bargain. Keep the boys safe. A small disloyal part of me considered seeing

“Spells often protect themselves this way. Study with me and maybe you’ll understand enough to overcome the effect.” “If Jim Bob or Andy are hurt in any way, the deal is off.”

The arm tightened until we stood side by side, touching. “I can turn your luck around.” His warmth against me, too good. I stepped back, feeling those golden eyes deep

I touched my lips and shuffled backward. Cudougnay’s sexual power tingled from my toenails to the ends of my hair. “Quit with the sex thing. I told you that’s not part of the deal.”

knew I’d agreed to keep this appointment, but I could always read the card later after it jumped back into my pocket. The destruction made me feel stronger, more in control. So why did I also feel like crying?

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Cudougnay leaned against the long table and watched Ki leave, head high. He

him to think of trampling on those feelings, but a dangerous man bespelled the girl. Ki must remain unharmed no matter what while Cudougnay worked to free her.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Almost sunset before I could go looking for Meghan. Classes. Dishwashing in

you’re around, please come here.” I didn’t worry about being seen talking to myself. You couldn’t worry about that too much if you wanted to talk to Meghan. After all, so few people could see Meghan.

coming for the city. We have to look out and keep people safe.” “He’s not my air spirit!” Meghan shook her head, confused. She’s really upset about this unnamed

him, and he usually doesn’t remember. If all goes well in birth, the little shoot resembles the mother, and the mother’s memory takes root deep down in the shoot’s mind. Always the shoot grows where needed even with no other tree spirits nearby.”

A fist tightened around my heart. “Wrong how?” “Wrong because the mother’s lover holds her too captured, so that the shoot is not a twin of the mother but a blend of father and

“She lived in a house?” I nodded. “Yes. With my father.” “She knew it went wrong. She knew she would fade so she left you with your

have loved your father so much almost all of you is from him.” “Impossible,” I repeated. I couldn’t imagine my dopey old dad inspiring such affection. Sure, he’d have been a few years

You’d be a tree spirit, but you are human too so they’d want to protect you.” “How would Cudougnay know what I am?” “The air spirit is smart. He would be

and made myself some tea. “Yeah, that’s gonna help.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Tweaking a term paper on Yeats from last year so I could hand it in to Dork for the

I swallowed, hard. “Hi, Andy.” Andy’s eyes met mine. Guilty and selfconscious, he took his hand off the woman’s shoulder. She turned to look at me showing dead

Andy finally found voice. “Ki, this is Martine. She’s the most incredible acrobat.” Martine grinned wider around fangs and did three back flips, landing each time in the same spot. Andy’s eyes nearly crossed he

“Girl’s night out?” “In a manner of speaking. We are looking for entertainment.” I swallowed. “Look somewhere else. I hear they’ve got better floor shows in Vegas.”

playing caveman. But this could be a lot more serious. Lavina hesitated. “This one has something the matter—an illness?” “Not your business, Lavina.”

Lavina glowered. Those huge nowhites eyes somehow expressed resentment. “I’ve fought with him for years and he’s never given me leave to summon him.” “Lucky me.”

at the beautiful woman crawling along overhead. I wondered if those flimsy tiles really supported the vampire’s weight or if she levitated. “Ki, what’s up?”

“Obviously. He has a message for you. Andy is protected only if you keep your appointments. I’ll say goodnight and wish you both unpleasant dreams.” Lavina gestured at her followers and they sped away, the one on the ceiling bounding across the ceiling and

Andy’s eyes went round and scared. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. Really.” Of course he didn’t mean it. Andy’s muscle control wasn’t the best anytime. Shock, tension made it harder for him. Those

Andy’s eyes unreadable, staring. “What is it?” I dropped my gaze. “Later.” I took his hand, hoping to soothe. He jerked away again.

some tea first.” I put water in the kettle and turned up the flame on the old gas range. He waited, hands on hips, green eyes tracking my every motion.

I waited. His lips pursed. “You’re saying vampires exist.” Desperate, a little relieved he’d said it, not me, I replied, “Yes. Vampires and magical

they learn to keep it quiet.” Andy leaned toward me, hand warm on my shoulders. Protective. “Who whipped you?” I shivered, crouching over my teacup.

“Why?” “Just answer.” “I watched an episode of Charmed once.” “Oh.”

magic lessons. He grinned. “I’m dating the sorcerer’s apprentice.” Silence stretched between us like sticky taffy.

Andy’s whole body clenched, hands fisted. “Don’t. Tell. Me. What. I. Want.” I’d never seen Andy like this before. My love for him warred with a desire to get away from his temper. “Andy, you’re scaring

human. My extra sight and my compulsion to protect my ex boyfriend, Meghan, Andy and even Cudougnay might be from my tree spirit genes. “It should scare you.” A hand kneaded my shoulder, slid

see these things I wouldn’t believe them. Heck, I almost convinced myself vampires were Goths in prosthetics.” He kissed me long and hard, tasting of cold night from our walk home, and a lush

looked up into deep green eyes, admiring them. He ran a finger along my eyebrow. “Such unusual eyes, Ki. Maybe that’s why you see things other people can’t. They’re

“I wish I could do what you do.” I shook my head. “Maybe if you got some colored contact lenses.” “You are different from other people. In a good way. Special. Unique.”

He’ll never understand. “Let’s not argue.” Andy kissed me again. Another magic. The enchantment between two people, the charm, the allure of

my whole body invaded and aware. Almost feral, I ran my hands over Andy’s body, wondering how much of this new feeling came from my love for Andy, and how much the strange awakening Cudougnay

I threw myself on him, laughing. He pretended to be asleep. I probed and poked at Andy’s ribs until he tucked himself into a ball. Then I tickled.

both my hands and held them still. For some reason I couldn’t understand I kept giggling even though a part of my heart just died and I didn’t understand why. I kept thinking about Cudougnay. I had a lonely and bitter feeling— unjustified—being with Andy I betrayed

I gave an involuntary huff as the air left my lungs. “Hey, not so hard.” He loosed the grip so I could breathe. “I never want to let you go.” I laughed. “Then don’t. We’ll just stay

OK.” Right. I had the deed to the Mackinaw Bridge in my bug green book bag, too. “It’s just that it’s the first lesson and I want to stay on Cudougnay’s good side.” “What’s he like, anyway?”

“You’re the sexiest man I know. The most trustworthy, too.” He looked down. “You value trustworthiness?” “Well, after the whole Jim Bob thing,

Aunt Ida. “Jim Bob. He wasn’t a freak until after he lived with me for awhile.” “You can’t blame yourself for him. So many people, even my own mother, never treated me like a man because of my cerebral palsy. I used to think you saw me the same.

esteem. So I forced my racing thoughts to slow down and tried touching him back. He didn’t look at my face, and the whole thing became impersonal. I wanted him to stop. But then my

handicap. I caught him from falling once and he almost didn’t forgive me for it. I decided to take Andy’s mind off the shirt trouble, and undid his pants. He swelled, making the zipper harder to slide down. I

tip. Less turned on now myself, I basked, satisfied with a job well done. Andy put both hands on my shoulders and pulled me away from his lollypop. “I want

sometimes it felt wonderful, especially if I imagined Cudougnay entered me, impregnating every part of me with his essence. I watched Andy fumble to put one on

I held him tight, still trying. I put my hand between us and rubbed just in the right place. My eyes squeezed shut, stars behind my lids as everything tensed and exploded. A nonsense sound came from my

his kiss haunt me awake and asleep? Why? Did I fight with Cudougnay and pretend to dislike him as a way to counterbalance this desire, this agonizing need I had to touch him? Did the Cudougnay coin’s flip side reveal everything I’d thought I wanted with Andy—

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Cudougnay summoned a cool wind. It rippled through his spacious living room, ruffling the papers on the coffee table and

Ki here! A grim part of his soul reminded him he hadn’t left her much choice. The strongest lever he had to influence Ki was one whose very existence he hated: Andy. These lessons had two purposes: Teach Ki magic and bring Ki closer to himself. Hopes soared as she

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I stood on the short paved walk and frowned down at the card I held, squinting to

pale clouds above and Lake Superior behind, the blue and white house appeared to almost float, like a house in a fairy tale. It didn’t match Cudougnay, despite Meghan calling him air spirit. To me Cudougnay seemed too primal and rugged for such a setting.

half expected it to talk or wink at me, but it didn’t do anything but knock. I froze mid motion. The last time I stood on a man’s front steps, I’d ended up having sex with Andy. I didn’t plan to do the same with Cudougnay.

I gave, I knew you’d never make. You stand with your friends—stand between them and danger every time.” I didn’t much appreciate him implying he could predict my actions. “Cudougnay.”

hands on the coat fabric, but never quite touching my skin. In a second, my coat hung on a peg behind the door, and I’d been turned inside out, anticipating a seduction that never happened. The quiet of the house seemed absolute. “Your tribe, where are they now?”

I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.” “No, I’m sorry. Not how I meant to start our time together today. I think I have an apple coffee cake in the kitchen. Would you like some?”

water in the sleek microwave, while he stood sipping coffee and chewing a slice of cake. When the microwave dinged, he cut me a slice, too and put it on a plate with a fork, two things he hadn’t bothered with for

He reached up to get a book off one of the shelves. I watched, marveling at the ripple of perfect, statue-come-to-life muscles. He handed me the book. My hand shook a little as I reached for it. Beautiful eyes, the clear yellow-rimmed amber of a great horned owl

Andy?” I jerked back and almost spilled my tea. “I see a good person.” “I see different things in Andy. Dangerous things.”

the coffee table and brushing at the crumbs I’d left on the white couch. “Let’s get your coat then.” “What about the book?” “It’ll keep. It’s a magical creatures

“I can’t go to Chicago. Why on earth would we go to Chicago tonight?” He pulled me tight against him. “Consider it a Shamanistic journey. Eventually you’ll be able to do this alone. But this first

I tried to wriggle out of the iron grip. “Think I might throw up.” “Just wait. We’re almost there.” Almost sobbing, I held my jaws and eyes clenched against his shoulder. The air

hell are we? This can’t be Chicago. It looks like a cowboy movie set.” Cudougnay let me go and turned to look over the rocky landscape. He shrugged. “It’s between .”

“If I just want to go back home?” “Then we’ll have to do this whole thing over next time.” I swallowed, remembering the bile rising in my throat when Cudougnay did

attention. You should learn to do this on your own. It can be a great survival trick.” I winced as the strange feeling began again, cold, wrong, but not so bad as last time. I stared at the changing landscape as we went

neighborhood.” The huge, sinister buildings seemed to be fighting each other for the night sky. Anxious bullies after lunch money, they pressed against the sidewalks, making me

“What are you looking for?” He stopped, facing a small doorway. “Here. I think they can come through to our dimension easier here than at other spots.” Happy at maybe getting inside out of

ring of light outlined us, brightest where our palms meet. Startled, I tried to pull away. He shook his head. “Don’t let go. That light is the energy I’ve fixed so they can’t tell we’re here.”

“See what?” “Whatever it is I’m supposed to see.” A thumb danced across my palm, a warm soothing stroke. “Just keep holding my hand.”

unearthly purpose. I flinched and tried to run. Cudougnay’s grip held me leashed. He whispered, “Remember they can’t see us.” My eyes made out more shapes

slithered across the floor. I shrank away from it. Something wrapped tight around my leg. Like being lassoed with a jump rope on the playground. Then I couldn’t move, but everything hurt as the ropy thing sank sharp spines into my calf

my coat. I tried to laugh. “Guess you don’t need matches to start a fire.” Yellow eyes flared in the dim haze. “Ki, look at me. Are you all right?”

person they attack makes them stronger. They’ve been growing in numbers and strength for centuries.” “What do they want?” “They are mindless foot soldiers. They

The whole disgusting room spun like a heavy-duty wash cycle. I just closed my eyes and let him carry me back out into the biting wind. Cudougnay put his cheek to mine,

through me. I looked down at my shaking hands. “Getting back’s not going to be a problem is it?” Cudougnay put both arms around me and nestled me tight against his muscled chest.

down a smooth cotton shirtfront until my feet touched the floor. “Not still dizzy?” The taut nearness and the hot, sweet look in his gilded eyes explained my vertigo. “No, I’m fine. Those things—the death

waiting for our next appointment, but I wanted to get started. I stayed until daylight showed through the trees, browsing Cudougnay’s shelves. The whole time, in Cudougnay’s electric presence, I felt like a popcorn kernel, half-hoping, half-

Engines.” I had a feeling Cudougnay followed me home, but I was too tired to care. My feet worked harder than usual to pick themselves up with each step. In one night I’d gone from

CHAPTER NINETEEN
Cudougnay watched Ki unlock the door to her building and waited until his

Andy had taken unfair advantage. Cudougnay didn’t tire as fast as humans, but it had been a long night, even for a powerful former god. And Ki had looked so tired. “What we need is a vacation!” He

CHAPTER TWENTY
Cudougnay sat at the desk in the study, facing me in a chair I’d pulled up opposite him

My hand tensed into a fist. I made myself look down, focusing on the white linen shirt he wore today and the contrast it made with deep caramel skin. Cudougnay’s eyes got me breathless and excited in a way I didn’t want to feel with him. OK, I maybe believed

fisted on the desk. My fingers opened, and I fought the urge to squeeze his fingers. I wanted him so much the weapons practice had been a torture. How could I fight with a knife or aim any

first year in Penn Arbor I bought a thrift store bathing suit for three bucks and took a dip in the icy summertime Lake Superior. Just the thing to cool you off and make your heart quit beating from shock on a hot day. “I don’t know. I’d have to look for it.”

landscape below our cliff and inhaling the spice that clung to him like cologne. Cudougnay’s voice rumbled against my earlobe. “Ki, love me. Marry me. Your Andy can’t offer you a pure love when his

The smile broadened. “Saying yes won’t help my chances, will it?” Cudougnay’s warm eyes danced. “But look at the facts. Here I am, a rich, powerful former god ready to meet your every need—”

I stifled a scream. Instead of falling, he hovered, reminding me he had power over the air. He grinned and gestured me forward. “Time for you to learn a new trick.”

heights,” I lied. Still smiling, he held out a hand, almost but not quite touching my clenched fingers. “No you’re not. Come on!” I’m not acrophobic, but stepping off a

Too late, I feared I’d already fallen— for Cudougnay, but I couldn’t him see it. Not while Andy considered me his girlfriend. I still loved Andy. Didn’t I? Thinking so hard I stepped over the edge before I realized.

loving the taut body against mine. Cudougnay propelled us up and up. The wind whooshed, pushing downward against my hair. A chill as Cudougnay moved away, still clasping my hand. Not falling. I

wearing a tulle skirt. And for once it wasn’t Jim Bob. Cudougnay raised both eyebrows. The usual tight jeans and new white shirt replaced the tutu.

myself on a rock outcropping, sky above me where it belonged. Sure enough the thing materialized. Yippee! My joy gave way to horror as I realized I stood on a monumental phallus. I worked to shape it into something else. A butterfly. A top hat. An ice cream

and fell for half a mile before I figured out how to stop falling and start flying. You just had to imagine yourself flying and not falling. Pretty easy once you knew what to do. I looked down at myself and changed my Olympic-logo bathing suit for a circus

tongue. “Gods, Ki,” he breathed. “Is this what you want?” I ran my hands over Cudougnay’s muscled chest and looked at him though my

memory.” I had too. But I stayed quiet. A long awkward silence. Cudougnay cleared his throat. “Let’s get on with our day.” “Remind me, why are we going to Honduras?”

out with a sponge. Not the winter-cold damp of the Great Lakes, but hot and palpable air. I gasped. “Warm day?” He smiled, slightly. “The women don’t exactly go bare, but you’re overdressed.”

You must have seen the ads on TV.” “I don’t own a TV.” I did watch Andy’s sometimes. “For a modern woman, you’re not high tech.” He thrust an aqua-blue bikini into

Cudougnay’s eyes met mine, and he smiled, knowingly. Shit. Cudougnay had no right to think I might be jealous over him. I had no right to feel possessive. Even if I did.

Despite the heat, I shivered. He smiled and pointed to a tiny thatch roofed hut. “I think you can change in there.” I got inside the sand floored shower and changing area with Cudougnay’s

I exited the changing room trying to do the runway strut without falling over my own bare feet or tangling with the bulging shopping bag where I’d stuffed my winter clothes and shoes.

“Warmer, anyway. How long do we have to wait?” “At least until sunset.” We wandered further up the beach toward drum-heavy music. Tired people

like local currency and we took our frosty glasses to a pair of empty lounge chairs. “Hey, is that real money or magic?” “Real. But I have a spell set up so a record is made on my computer at home when

leave it at that, hot stuff.” He grinned. “All the better.” “Kinda hard to be true to Andy when any halfway decent man makes me—you know.”

everything unspoken acknowledged at last. “Your eyes, so beautiful,” he breathed. I leaned into him. My body’s hollows cradled Cudougnay’s manhood as if the thin fabric we wore were nothing. I did a quick

Maybe. But some part of me refused to consider it. “I don’t trust your judgment when it comes to Andy.” “OK. But remember this. I’ve promised to protect him. Can you promise me

He touched my shoulder. “Yes. Look. This close to the equator, the sun sets faster, as if it can’t wait to sink below the waves. But it blazes fire so people will remember its power while it is away.”

Cudougnay gave me a knowing smile. Still breathless, I dropped Cudougnay’s hand and picked up my plastic bag. “Guess it’s time to get out the winter clothes again.”

happened. Then we stood on the familiar red cliff. My stomach did its usual rumba at the dislocation, but settled while I pulled my winter clothes on over the swimsuit, too tired even to care if Cudougnay watched.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I spent a couple hours alone in my

been glancing at, and ran to unlock the chain. I opened the door and took a deep breath. Andy. Of course. Why had I expected anyone else? Looking into Andy’s green eyes I remembered how we fell in love, so sudden.

But with the magic lessons, work and school, things have been hectic lately. Cudougnay is teaching me a lot of useful things. I feel like I have to help him keep the non-magical population safe.”

think he was all about spending more time together. “Magic’s dangerous, Andy. I have to learn it and you don’t. Consider yourself lucky.” “Lucky. Yeah, right.”

I leaned against Andy’s flannel shirtfront and kissed him. He gave it back with interest. My sunburn didn’t bother me anymore, not even when he grabbed my arms

swollen, dripping center, stroked the tortured nub crying out for contact all day, ever since Cudougnay kissed me. My breath sounded like Aunt Ida’s old vacuum cleaner just before the belt broke and

—tutoring clients and professors, fellow graduate assistants. Good thing it was winter. I’d have to wash out my turtleneck again for tomorrow. “What’s with the biting?” He looked innocent as an angel, eyes

In my cold apartment, warm liquids were essential for life. I had the usual time trying to dissolve all the little dry powder lumps in the chocolate mix, but it looked pretty good after I finished stirring it into submission. The tea brewed. We sat at the tiny

one of my Cudougnay notebooks! The first one from when I started my lessons. Shit. I moved to snatch it from him, but he hung on so I had to either let go or tear the thing. “Give it here.”

would be good enough. Cudougnay appeared a blink later. His eyes met mine, and a terrible tension left his face, replaced by rage. I shuddered.

doesn’t know what he’s saying, not really. Some tea now you’re here? Then you can go back to whatever, and we won’t bother you any more. So sorry.” “Babbling is not one of your better

Andy coughed. “Grant me a wish.” “You call me with the Ki’s essence still clinging to your skin and you want me to grant you a wish?” Cudougnay’s expression, half angry,

My mouth moved without me. “Wait!” He stopped at the window. He put one finger on my cheek, surprisingly warm and human. “You worry so for everyone. Take care of yourself. Anything else you want to

“Do you promise?” A shudder went down my back. I looked at Andy’s tight-lipped face. If I said no now, he’d be sure I’d rather spend time with Cudougnay than him. I wondered if it was

magic’s cost.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Cudougnay rode a stiff chill wind out onto Lake Superior, skimming high above the

An idea formed, and Cudougnay laughed aloud, dancing with clouds, rage forgotten. I can’t hurt him, but she can!

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The tap-dancing note on Cudougnay’s door invited, “Ki, come into the library. Back in a minute.” I hummed as I let myself in and

myself. “Cudougnay?” No sign of him. I squelched my irrational disappointment. I should be glad Cudougnay wasn’t waiting on the edge of his seat for my

were gone?” I remembered how I’d wanted to give Cudougnay something, even if I couldn’t give him what he wanted from me. “I’ve been reading that Sioux ledger. Manishee’s the

chance to see what it says. “Yeah. But then he goes on to explain how energy in objects makes it hard for magic users to affect them or to put their own different energy into objects.” He picked a pistachio from the bowl

Too bad no one’s ever figured out how.” “Not yet. But think what we could do. We could blast the death walkers and maybe use the leftover magic to bring about world peace. Even a weak magic user could be a

of record keeping for breakthrough ideas and techniques?” “Interesting. Uh, I have to leave you alone for a minute, Ki. I’m not used to having this time set aside the way I was. Something’s

footsteps retreating down stairs, I snagged the paper out of the trash and read it over. This spell lasted forever. Irreversible. A wish. Granted. One wish. I remembered Andy’s request for a wish from Cudougnay. But how dangerous was it?

Cudougnay returned what seemed a long time later. He gave me a worried frown, eyes darting to the trash basket and back to me. I stepped toward him, heart thudding.

My green book bag bobbed down the stairs, all on its own. I snatched it up onto my shoulder and felt to make sure the paper was still there. “Thanks,” I whispered.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Cudougnay had never been so happy

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Later that night, I waited for Andy at

hard for him to walk fast. Since we started dating, I’d had practice fitting my faster stride to Andy’s slower pace. Cool hands covered my eyes. Vampires! I jumped, ready to fight.

He kissed me again. “I have to visit the men’s room. I’ll be right back.” I gave the big guy who’d been watching me an uneasy glance. His stare seemed more purposeful now. “If I’m not

It took him a minute to recognize the insult. His blunt, pink face got even redder, and somebody over at the bar laughed. Damn. I hadn’t meant to say it so loud. Big as a house, this idiot could probably smoosh Andy and me both like summer flies.

against my throat, the booth was dark and secluded, ideal for stolen kisses. But Andy seemed tense, maybe even angry. Just friends I hadn’t seen this side of him, but since we dated, I saw it a lot. Maybe I should be honored he was opening up to me. But I had

Not exactly a dream date. But I figured we had time to work things out. I knew we loved each other, and it was wonderful to be able to touch him at last after all my selfimposed celibacy.

My stomach churned in undeniable love and intense irritation conflated. “Andy, it’s just a job. There’s nothing wrong. It supports the arts.” “They pay you to be naked. That’s just

money.” His voice seemed to come from far away. “There are other ways to earn money.” I looked away from Andy’s beloved face set in anger, judging me and took a deep breath before I spoke. “They take more time

college paid for whenever you want just by filling out a few forms!” “You think I should.” “I don’t know. But I know what I’d do if I were you. I’d sell your house of sad

brought the check and we both examined it with dismay, tightwads that we are. We calculated the tip and split the whole thing down the middle, money out and putting it into the little folder the bill came in. I never let dates treat me—not that I had much

Andy never mentioned his mother much for all she still spoke on his answering machine and seemed a constant presence in the house. “Sounds like she had a sense of humor.”

None too steady myself, not drunk, but a bit silly and off center, I said, “Let’s go back to my place, boyfriend.” He grinned. I kissed him right there, I couldn’t help

right, you asked for it.” I grabbed the big guy’s meaty forearm, and concentrated extra hard. Nothing happened. I tried again. The familiar queasy dislocation and we zipped between .

I took his beefy hand and zipped him back. We’d been gone maybe half a second. Andy’s face was a mix of emotions. “You all right, Andy?” “Fine. What was that?”

“Got the crap beat out of me, probably. But having my girlfriend fight my battles—not very manly.” To me, Andy seemed ungrateful. I saved our bacon and he got mad. I counted to

“My house or yours?” “Mine.” I’d noticed he was less inclined to play the games I didn’t like at my place. ***

you Luddite. How can you be up on texting slang?” “I use the computer at the library. I even joined a few chat lists. I’m no Luddite. Luddites opposed technology. I just can’t

My breath caught. He looked down, not speaking. I pictured the shrine Andy’d made of his house, the earlier bad mood. “Would you want your mother back, alive and healthy?”

I envisioned the way Andy looked last night. All I want is you. He already had me. What could it harm granting him that deepest desire, especially since I already knew what it was, who it affected? Here was a way to

I spoke the words aloud. “A blessing on you, Andy MacFrey. A blessing on you. Three times be blessed. With your fondest wish be blessed

toilet. I’d crossed some inner boundary. I’d never be the same. The puffed rice cereal I’d eaten with Andy earlier twisted inside me. A cold sweat on my forehead, I pulled

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
At home in his study, Cudougnay held his head. Ki’s spell spun shockwaves through the air, changing time and memories. But she

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Two days after I worked the spell, I

some time to—to adjust.” I blinked, determined not to cry. I didn’t deserve to be comforted. “Adjust?” Cudougnay’s eyes never left my face. “You do remember casting the wish spell?”

He took a long time to answer. “I wanted you to know what he really is.” “Find him!” “I can’t. I swear to you I should be able to find him if he’s anywhere within a

the language lab. Andy always arrived first for our joint shift, but not today. I fought the urge to scream, and forged Andy’s signature on the language lab sign in sheet so he wouldn’t get in trouble with Booker.

with me. The spell worked, but apparently it had a delayed effect or something. Because Andy wished to be with me. I was here, but he wasn’t. I couldn’t shake the feeling it was all

the morning snowplow. I smiled and tugged my mitten off to better find the corn muffin I’d saved in my coat pocket for Meghan and pushed the door open. The outside cold hit me, a living force,

crow’s wormlike tongue, thick and dark, poked at my hand. I held steady. He rubbed my fingers delicately, and dived in, all tongue no biting. I pondered how many calories it must take to fly and wondered if he’d eat ordinary birdseed. Looked like he and

be having a good day with the spasms. “Andy. I’ve been so scared. So worried. I’ve been going crazy thinking what might have happened.” Andy. Not cold and bleeding heat into

love. Hard to speak around the dark, sharpedged ice in my throat. Tears burned my eyes. “Andy, who did this to you? Tell me.” Make them pay. Kill them. Kill Cudougnay if he lied

Confused and contradictory impulses swam around in my head. I wanted to grab Andy and show him just how much I’d missed him how glad I was to see him. I wanted to scream and run away from him, too.

Icy breath edged along my scalp, scenting, breathing me in like a Thanksgiving turkey. “How are you handling the little problem of needing human blood to survive?”

more likeable if they had to do what I said, don’t you think? Like Professor Booker for example. I bet he’s weak.” I pulled my hand out from my dead boyfriend’s grasp. Was he still my boyfriend?

three blocks, until the cold air burned every time I drew breath and my feet refused to go faster than a walk. Andy knocked me to the ground and bit my elbow’s inside curve, right through my

I reached down and stroked Andy’s altered face, nuzzling at my arm. My hand grazed the erection tenting his pants. “Better stop or I won’t be able to do anything about this.”

waitress to a booth. I held my bloody arm to my side, hoping no one would notice. I ordered coffee and blueberry pie, just like last time. “So I was wrong. Vampires aren’t

equal an underdone chicken wing on a grubby paper plate or a hot dog roasted over a trash can fire. “Could explain why I never see vamps at the college cafeteria, too—oh, wait —daylight explains that one.”

laugh—the same. He was mine, whatever happened. I’d been so lonely before. “I’m still me.” You’re not Andy—You’re the thing that killed him. I didn’t voice my thought

she just saw an attractive young man giving her the eye, but when you knew, it was creepy as hell. I stood up, using my chair for balance. “I’ve gotta go.”

sure I trusted him as much as I wanted to. Andy’s eyes glowed with the vampire’s blood lust. He had the fast graceful motion that made vamps look good even with the fangs and bug eyes. Freed from the

My eyes met his silver orbs. “Andy, I’ll call you tomorrow, all right?” Whatever he saw in my face made him smile. He melted toward me, a torrent of cold air and speed. Lips and an accidental fang

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Thinking about Ki, Cudougnay almost forgot to battle the enemy.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
I stared at the door to my building for a while, shivering inside my torn coat and tracking the audible pain in my arm every time

I couldn’t be mad at Meghan just because I got hurt and tired and she didn’t. “Oh.” “I saw your Andy. He looked— different. He moved different. Was he all

indignation. “He made you cry. I hate it when you cry, and the Jim Bob also made you cry, didn’t he? Maybe you should stop mating.” I knew she didn’t feel the cold, but I wished, not for the first time, she’d wear

heart was breaking, I patted her shoulder. “You are very smart. You seem to be getting smarter all the time too, Meghan.” She took my hand in a rough twiggy grasp, and my arm extended.

my warrior skills have improved very much since my first battle.” “I mean I don’t want you to.” Her lips pursed. “You wanted him to hurt you?”

turn you he has to drain you enough to kill you and then make you drink enough vampire blood while you are dying to bring you back as the vampire. Hard to do, even with a regular human. Most just die.” She smiled. “You are part tree spirit. We don’t turn into

fire and burn away.” “Thanks.” “Don’t try to kill them yourself. They’re too fast. Just let me know and I’ll take care of it.”

in the darkness but I can tell when it has teeth.” The tree spirit looked like a ten-yearold girl, but I didn’t laugh. “You’re a fine warrior guardian.”

“No one could be better at protecting than you, Meghan. No one.” A tree rustled, and I thought Meghan laughed. I forced myself to climb the steps,

CHAPTER THIRTY
The door opened. Cudougnay

inside the house. He took my hand. “What’s wrong?” “It’s Andy. Don’t you know?” He shook his head. “No. Your Andrew has somehow blocked himself from

Breath against my ear, he whispered, “I’m not sure.” I stepped back and looked him in the eye. “Tell me!” Cudougnay’s arms fell to his sides, and

anyone to be happier for it.” I should have known. My old mistrust of magic should have warned me. Maybe it had. I remembered my trapped confusion at loving Andy, but wanting Cudougnay. Maybe

I hissed as the fabric scraped against Andy’s bite. It hurt, but I remembered the sexy haze that transformed fear for my life to wanting more. “The spell protects itself, and I think

I tried to hold my arm to my chest so I wouldn’t stain the furniture. Cudougnay left me alone for what seemed a long time, but must have been a few minutes and came back with a first aid kit and

and people who knew about them. Someone must have come up with a cure!” Cudougnay took my hands, some of the usual teasing in his manner. “For you, I’ll try. But you must promise me you will stay

Touched by the sympathy, I took his hand and held it to my face. “Thanks.” Cudougnay’s hand burned against my cheek, hot, even through the tears I’d shed. I gasped, accidentally touching his

from the corners. I kissed him back, memorizing the sensation as if there’d be a test later, and an essay to write about his greedy response to my explorations, the bittersweet desire and despair.

Cudougnay. No more denial. No need for decisions, at least not now. “Ki.” He gasped my name and it was the sexiest thing I’d ever heard. “Poison on the hoof.” I giggled.

I winced. Cudougnay froze. I wriggled my hand through the sleeve, letting my shirt fell to the floor. Face a complex mix of emotion;

“Yes. No.” The tears I’d been holding back by wallowing in the sensations Cudougnay caused came flooding out at once. Cudougnay gathered me in his arms, humming a tune, a lullaby from a lost ancient

Eyes on mine, Cudougnay undressed in a series of fast graceful motions. I enjoyed the show. Taut, cut muscles and lithe strong legs, the line of body you can guess at, but never know until you see

Cudougnay captured my foot in both hands and nibbled his way from my ankle to the inside of my knee. I could hardly breathe. My skin seemed ultra sensitized.

I writhed under him. Teeth just touched my slick, sensitive clit. The gentle pressure and dangerous teeth sent me right over into orgasm. I

Feeling boneless from the aftermath, I tilted my hips to give him better access. “Funny, I have a great sense of humor.” Cudougnay slid inside me, inching into my tight wet channel.

Snuggling into his warmth, I sleepily considered. Shouldn’t bother me at all, seeing how I’d never have sex with him again. But it did bother me. Feeling lonely and a little afraid, I pictured running into him sometime years from now, me all bent over, wrinkles on

It was still night when Cudougnay summoned the listening winds. Objects and papers started falling off their surfaces in the bedroom, the winds building in force until I hid my head under the pillow to protect my ears from the sound. Everything went still and

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Wings pulsed against Cudougnay’s big

invited, thanks to the magical protections Cudougnay maintained on the house. I needed some time and distance before I could look Andy in the eye. Confession seemed out, at least until we got him back among the breathing. Guilt and tired acceptance of my

scrub off a few important layers. Ouch! I rubbed the bite too hard and a nauseating pain flashed through me, followed by an equally unsettling replay of my venominduced haze.

come in from outside. I jumped like a nervous cat and put the cable bill I’d been studying to pass the time down flat on the coffee table. He had a tattered paper in his hand,

how he got me hot, I snatched the paper from his hand and frowned down at the incomprehensible words. Cudougnay had wonderful handwriting, but this wasn’t anything close to English. “Is this the cure?”

“Focus on places with heavy vampire populations throughout time. I found these scholar types having a festival and discussing their solution for the vampire problem.” “Why don’t you know if it works?”

my own past or that of people I knew and cared about.” My heart warmed. He’d done it for me —for Andy. “Oh. But still, those poor people.”

“Is there any language you don’t know?” “Some obscure dead languages. Whatever passes for communication between death walkers when they aren’t speaking a

triangles) inside a traditional sacred circle, a clay figure representing a vampire, a chalice full of wine, and a knife for extracting a few drops of our own blood, which we would later drink. Yum.

*** I dragged a torch up Cudougnay’s spiral stairs, past the door to the library and into the open sky loft with its ritual space. My sore arm clenched when the torch scraped

He cupped my face and looked into my eyes. “Don’t tell me I’m too late. Besides you, no one has ever touched my soul. No one. Not even my own lost tribe.” I shut my eyes so I wouldn’t have to

Cudougnay’s friendship with the air element and warm air’s tendency to rise. Cold air tried to get in every time the wind gusted. Cudougnay handed me a piece of white chalk. “Sure you won’t change your

On the altar, a big goblet held red wine and a silver knife sparkled. A crude clay figure with fangs represented the vampirism we wanted to cure. The Sumerians had planned on using a real vampire they’d captured, but mentioned they could use a symbol as well.

him what he wants most, don’t you think? I know he got vamped before it took effect, but once he’s human again it should work, right?” Even I wasn’t convinced. What was I forgetting?

wish spell is making you forget casting it, again. The more you are motivated to undo it, the harder it works to cloud your mind.” Focus, Ki, focus. “Never mind. Maybe it won’t matter after all. Lets get on with the

I took a deep breath and tried to calm my racing thoughts before lighting the torches we’d placed at the directions designated to represent fire and earth. Cudougnay invoked air and the energy

downward pointing apex of the chalked in triangle. He took my hand, steadying me and together summoned. “Ereshkigal, Lady of the Great Below, Guardian of the Tablets of Destiny, Holder of the Fate of the World, we call thee to appear before us bearing that

of the stick. I cut my index finger and milked a few drops into the wine chalice on the altar. Cudougnay smashed the clay vampire figurine in one fist and dropped some silt into the chalice.

to kill the undead. This object would never restore Andy’s humanity. The cure for vampirism seemed to be death. Repulsed, I threw it onto the tiles. It landed with a clang. Cudougnay said softly, “A weapon.”

wanted to be a blood-drinking killer more than he wanted anything else. That was what he wished for when you cast that spell.” I stalked over to the circle’s edge where I’d left my clothes. The false warmth

Well, I felt pretty bad myself. But by the time I got down the stairs, I had a good use for the stupid sword. Everything seemed so simple. If I couldn’t cure Andy, I’d kill the vampire who killed him. Lavina.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
I borrowed the phone book at Joe’s

All so ordinary, as if I didn’t have a sword in my duffle bag, the driver hardly noticed me as I dropped my dollar fifty in quarters into the payment box. The ornate silver sword handle poking out wouldn’t be a problem as long as no one got a look at its

followed me after I finished the job. Lavina would be dead—or if I screwed up and we both lived, at least she couldn’t follow me to the bus stop in broad daylight—unless she had underground tunnels dug the way they always did in the movies.

drive, sword in hand like some vengeful fantasy book cover heroine, except I wore my usual hiking boots and warm coat, not some artist’s idea of a fur bathing suit. I rang the doorbell, wondering if

to stay inside the dim doorway, avoiding sun’s rays. Too bad I wasn’t already inside. I could just body slam Lavina out into the sun from behind. No, with my luck, the sun wouldn’t kill Lavina, just make her mad. After all, the cross and holy water turned out to be a bust.

swinging range. Not taking chances. “So, why are you really here, little girl?” “You turned Andy. You knew he was off the menu. Cudougnay—” She held up a hand to stop my words.

smile pulling lips up on either side of her pointy fangs. Shit. Even with the sword, I didn’t see how to win a fight against Lavina. She moved so fast. A magical sword—only useful if I

Cudougnay’s edict, she couldn’t hurt me. “This isn’t right. You’re unarmed,” I panted. She slowed enough for me to see her lips move, as far across the room from me as she could get. “You want to give me a

go pop. My fingers turned white around the sword handle I held. “Did Cudougnay tell you to turn Andy?” “If you put the sword down over there by the porch entry, I will make you a cup of

fingers on it. I bit off a tiny shortbread corner. “The cookie is good,” I said, polite. “Yes, they were once my favorites, back when I ate solid food.” Lavina frowned. “This whole thing feels as if a trick has been

after a second, Lavina did too, fangs showing in a wild grin. Guilt settled over me, a wet gray blanket. “I’ll fix it with him, Lavina. He won’t blame you.”

“No, he’s different. He never had the sight. But your Andrew, he—” “He what?” “He will be one to watch. Have you noticed how many female vampires there are

She gave a tiny smile and raised a cookie to her lips, not biting down, just tasting it. I took a second bite. I hadn’t had a real meal in ages, and was suddenly starving.

Lavina smiled, a hideous fang effect. “Of course you may. But darling, Miss Grace and I have some intimate girl talk to catch up on. I suggest you take this into the living room.” She handed him a mug of tea and a plate of cookies, fixed faster than the eye

prop room was full of music and young people, mostly in costume. Like the spector at the feast, your Andrew walks in. I hadn’t seen him at such parties before, but he may have been following me. He’s been quite pesky since I turned him. He grabbed Jim Bob off

considered turning him. He’s so unusual I thought he might escape the madness that makes male vampires so dangerous.” She sighed. “So you changed your mind and didn’t

“I do hope so. Your fighting skills are non-existent and I could have had you dead a dozen times over during our little spat, but I am not immune to magic. Your magic is strong.”

I’d rather Lavina didn’t kill people in other cities either, but figured I should take what I could get. Even I couldn’t take responsibility for the whole world. I’d leave world saving for Buffy on TV. Take care of what was mine.

madness takes them, male vampires forget their promises!” I shook my head. “Not Andy!” “So he never lies. How fortunate you are.”

you do and damned if you don’t, eh? I’m glad Cudougnay never took much personal interest in me. He plays with people like toys.” I wanted to defend Cudougnay, but didn’t risk disagreeing now that Lavina had

wish spell protected itself by messing with my mind. Jim Bob appeared in the doorway. “I was thinking, maybe we could do a foursome after Andy comes down off those drugs he

“You girls are crazy, but I love you, anyway,” Jim Bob said. “Listen, Lavina, I’ve got to head back into town. I’ve got a friend at a frat house holding my things, but I’ve got to move them this afternoon.”

bench with my sword in hand. I was glad I hadn’t killed Lavina in front of Jim Bob—he’d be traumatized. He might even report it to the police. I didn’t want to kill Lavina now anyway. The whole thing

“Have you ever applied for a job you thought you might want?” “Uh, not really.” “Think what you like to do.” “Wear women’s clothes and party?”

glamour, but when it came to sex, vamps had a built in advantage. “Uh, it’s okay. She’s definitely something special.” “Ki. Are you in love with Andy? Andy. The man I thought I knew and

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
I entered my locked apartment to find

between the bed and the wall, the only good hiding place in my tiny apartment. I didn’t want to discuss the failed ritual with Andy. Ever. I hung my coat in the closet and turned

as I thought about Cudougnay’s lips and his single-minded desire. For the first time since it happened, I let myself remember the way I’d turned to him in my grief and he’d comforted —thrilled—me again and again. I imagined the heat and thrust, Cudougnay’s firm silk

people. I heard what happened with Jim Bob last night.” “I know you and he used to be close, but I was hungry and he was bothering me. Did I kill him?”

before he died, but I’d seen Andy’s bloodlust first hand. If he bit other people, he’d kill someone sometime. I didn’t want their deaths on my conscience. “Please, Andy. I’m jealous of you biting someone else. It’s so—so intimate, so exciting. I want you to only bite

hurt me, would you?” Those eyes implied he might, sometime. The smile did too. “No. I love you, Ki.” He licked my blood off his lips. “Love you so much.”

thought I was excited, because he kissed me again, and pushed fingers under my jeans waistband, thrusting with strength and dexterity he hadn’t had when he was alive. Already damp from thinking of

“It’ll hurt more.” “Just do it.” He did. It hurt like I expected, a lot. Sleepy warmth came over me after he’d been slurping a few minutes, and yes, I was turned

wrapped around me. I shook with cold and wanted to get back under the spray, but Andy held me down on the floor and rubbed me with the towels until I thought my skin would fall off. “Better now?”

or if he’d had sex with me after I lost consciousness. Andy’s intense stare told me I’d better give the right answer. “Nobody kisses like you do.” Somewhere inside me I was crying and

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
I jammed my frozen, gloved fingers

deep breath. It helped stop the trembling feeling I got when I thought too hard. I’d been running on empty for too many weeks now. I had an overdue paper from the week Andy got vamped and financial

No need to commit to a present yet. I still had some time. I turned toward Khol’s. The hall widened and the mall’s big blue spruce Christmas tree became visible in all its glory.

He jumped up and hugged me, holding me close enough to get Caesar’s Woman perfume’s full, overpowering effect. “You look awful. What have you been doing, mainlining meth or breathing Keith Richard’s cigarette smoke?”

“No, it isn’t that. Nothing I can’t work out on my own. Thanks for coming out here.” He grinned. “How could I not when we had such a great time last time we came here?”

“I’m not sure. Something with Andy. Only he’s—not into the whole thing. At least I don’t think so.” Andy had sold his house and moved in with me. Living together, each morning I left

The face a color not found in nature, but it had all a real face’s quirky individuality. “Santa doesn’t look right.” Up close no mistaking. The sour smell, the contorted face and crumbly dry skin all

even matter now? The man was dead. The cord throbbed in my hand. I froze, not sure if it really moved. My own turbocharged pulse—or Santa’s? Maybe he wasn’t really dead! “Just a sec. Something’s

didn’t seem so pretty now. Jim Bob ignored me and walked over to the dead man. “Jim Bob, no!” He checked the man’s neck for a pulse

Surprise. Numb shock. From outside my body, somewhere near the mall ceiling, I watched myself hit the floor bottom-first like an unbalanced toddler just learning to walk. Jim Bob’s lips moved, asking me something. I wanted to reassure him, he looked so worried, but my mouth didn’t work.

Jim Bob tried. I lay on the floor, eyes tracking the long cord to the Christmas tree base. “The tree. Leave it in me, but pull it out of the spruce!” Together we yanked, pulling the cord

Sprinkler system. Oh. Not raining. Cudougnay ran. I drank in the quick cycle of his pulse and breath. For what seemed a long time—might have been a few seconds —he was my whole world.

talking to the EMTs. He’s fine. Has no idea what happened, and they believe him.” “How’s your foot?” I flexed it. “I think it stopped hurting when you burned the tree.”

shaking I pushed him off and looked back, like Lot’s wife. The linked rectangles of blasted earth resembled an architect’s floor plan. We’d barely escaped. Goodbye Fashion Bug, Triple A, Younique. Score one for me, Cudougnay and Jim Bob. We’d just destroyed

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Cudougnay spent too much time

Native. Trickster. But you are more like Ki than I am. Both of you more human.” “Nothing wrong with not being human.” “Didn’t say human was better. Just

“Yeah, except Ki. Ki knows things from books. Things I tell her. Things you tell her. But she doesn’t know tree spirit things. Except the instincts. To protect. Be loyal. Take responsibility. Guard the home place.” Meghan jumped back onto the branch

what she considered her natural role as a protector. Cudougnay figured he could tell a version of the truth and dodge the bullet. “I’ll never spy on you without a good reason

“Great. No more weeping willow, now. I’ll be fine. Promise.” “Promise,” Meghan repeated. Cudougnay wasn’t sure, but he thought the tree spirit might be crying.

“Doing what?” “I didn’t ask. I trust him. Mostly.” “You threatened Meghan with no more burgers. What’s my penalty for not abandoning you?”

anticipating his kiss. He pulled her tight against him. Face hot, he said, “I can’t lose you. It would kill me.” Ki’s eyelids fluttered. “I want…” “Anything, Ki. Anything.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
I sat in the seat behind Cressy’s in

I took a deep breath. “Could you read one of your polished sentences and discuss your process for the class?” Go me! I even worked the word process—a Booker favorite —into my question.

discovered oral sex a year or two earlier. I swallowed my giggles and my face heated bright red the way it does if you try to hold in a sneeze. Like a sneeze, the laugh kept tickling my nose. I pressed Andy’s scabbed over bite marks through my pullover sleeve until tears

“I love professor Booker. He’s so cute and talented,” Cressy gushed. She has to be joking! I stared at Cressy. No, she meant it.

for attempted seductions in Pamela . Laugh or yawn? I couldn’t decide. Or maybe I could. Tired from blood loss and missed sleep, I pillowed my head on my arms and nodded off, jerking awake. Professor

Andy’s sake and mine. Booker spoke from behind the lectern. “Uh, Ki. I need to speak to you for a moment.” Cressy shot me a tight, jealous smile

taken precedence. “I can explain,” I began. But I couldn’t. Not to someone who didn’t know I had a bloodsucking boyfiend who went bump in the night. “I’m sorry. I’ll try to do better.”

My heart broke a little, seeing it. “I can’t have you treating Ki this way.” “Andy, butt out,” I hissed, caught on a knife-edge of embarrassment and fear. “Don’t

a minute.” I made sure, waiting until Dorker raised his head and seemed to know me—as much as he ever did anyway. “I’ll work on my grades and

I didn’t feel hungry. I wanted a vacation from Andy. I longed for the long lazy day Cudougnay and I had spent on the beach in Roatan. Outside the university building, I

“Don’t look at me like that. I bought it with the money from selling my house. Great idea you had.” “Doesn’t your money have to last even longer now you’re immortal? Before, you

passenger door. A ghost of his old smile combined with the new, confident way he moved, all repressed strength and speed. “I’m a very good driver. Vampire reflexes. I couldn’t crash this thing if I tried.”

He laughed. “You’re afraid of my driving?” He put a cold hand on my arm and my heart raced faster. “Only you would be afraid because of my driving! Even if you can’t see my glamour, you’re more fun than

Andy smiled. I forced myself not to stare at the fangs. “I want to take you somewhere special.”

too.” All the human girls and some boys in the room stared at Andy. The vampire whammy. Some looked at me with outright hatred just for sitting at the same table as him. I

been happening…” Andy gave me a knowing look. “Just what kind of work? I found out some stuff in the vampire community since I got turned. He’s a dangerous guy. Fighting those dead

could stay together anyway. And then the food came. Going out for dinner with a vampire made me self-conscious. Andy wasn’t eating, just moving the food around on the plate, and

everywhere. Messing on cars. I want to wring their necks.” “You used to like birds.” “That was before I… had a car.” ***

He leaned in and kissed me, fangs scraping the tender skin inside my mouth. Blood tanged coppery. Andy captured my tongue and sucked on it.

isn’t really food. Why do you think they call it blood lust?” Andy’s length burned cold and hard in my hand. I wanted it inside me. Maybe this could work out after all. Maybe this new vamp

I looked down at the short shallow scratch. It didn’t hurt. Blood trickled sluggishly. Nostrils flared, he pulled his head back, a snake about to strike a most sensitive

nymph. Think how a cat bite hurts, even if the skin is hardly broken. No matter how much I told myself I trusted Andy, the sharp fangs were quite a bit bigger than a cat’s. I laughed, a nervous giggle.

Claw-tipped fingers found my slick center and worked in a circular motion across my clit. I moaned and focused on the sensation rather than the inevitable bite.

nothing ever better—or worse when I considered just how self-destructive I’d become. He pounded away inside me with unnatural force. Andy’s strength, combined with a vampire’s knowledge of my body’s responses wrung another climax from me. He

helped, and the pain became an unsettled whisper. That’s gonna hurt like a bitch tomorrow. If I live. Now, I would gladly have let it go on forever. “Don’t want you dead, now,” Andy

get used to the fangs, the cold hands, and the bug eyes eventually. Maybe Andy’s wish would turn out all right after all. “No place like home,” I whispered, wondering which classic movie I

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
The door shut behind Andy and my

like a half finished soap bubble on a wand. I missed the exact moment when it stopped being a bird and became Andy. He wore a pre-vamp casual outfit. He breathed! I had a sudden wild hope. Andy cured

over himself—like a man patting his pocket to make sure the wallet is still there. “I think I’m waiting for the rest of me. When Andy got vamped, he rejected me. I’ve been watching and listening in on—myself. I think I’m the part incompatible with the vampire state. I’m

I frowned and forced myself to meet those clear green eyes. “Andy, it is my fault you became a vampire. Cudougnay gave me a chance to grant your deepest wish. I did.” Andy’s shoulders drooped. “Well, that

I froze, not understanding. My head shook back and forth. No. “You would never.” “Ask Cudougnay. He knows, I could see it in his eyes.”

spell or not. A shiver went through me at the realization. Andy’s lips trembled. “I knew Mom’s balance was bad. So weak. So near the end, one fall was all it would take. I knew it. I

it. It’s only right.” Andy’s human eyes got uneasy, distant. “I’m better without him. Listen, Ki. I’ve seen him. He does terrible things. I’m afraid for you. Remember, I’m a small part, so

“I hate it that he bites you,” he gritted, teeth clenched. Under my shirt, Andy’s fingers ran gentle over the healing scabs on my arm and breast. Vamp Andy looked at me as a

man created from my own memories, the bit of Andy who loved me—not the complete Andy. Maybe the Andy I loved never even existed except in my own mind. But this was as close as I would ever get to him now. I blinked back tears.

be with you again.” He kissed me, and I thought maybe some things might be simple after all. Andy’s warm touch, soft and tentative, held all the humanity I’d missed. Good to kiss

—at least influence it. If it doesn’t work, I want you to kill us both. I can’t imagine anything worse than being trapped inside a vampire’s body and watching him do terrible things for all eternity.”

“The spell only works once. I’ll make a wish. I wish I could just stay with you.” Andy’s look ate up the distant horizon, listening. “You have to wake up. He’s here and he’s going to kill you.”

He didn’t sound sorry. He sounded excited and pleased with himself. I noticed an odd smell in the room, leg of lamb just before you put it in the oven. I ran my hand along his cheek. It came away damp. Bloody? “Are you all right?”

branches dancing against the glass, moonlight pale and almost palpable against my face. It lit the room with a dim glow. Black-looking blood covered Andy’s clothes and face. I blinked and something took

bottle of wine in her hands. Perfect.” My heart thudded so I could hardly hear him. Cressy showed she was awake, opening large, fear-filled eyes. Smudged mascara gave her two black eyes in addition to

and she landed in a rag doll heap. “I hate it when they piss themselves.” My mouth fell open. Andy wouldn’t. “No.” I grabbed his shoulders and shook them. “You’ve been biting people all along.

Give me a day to think about it. You’ll be fast asleep and I’ll have time to get used to the idea.” Maybe I could drag him to the hall and ward the apartment to keep him out. He moved toward me. “So you can kill

looked into his eyes again. Silver. Andy rubbed his chin and blinked. I smiled, daring to think my Andy was winning this fight. “Andy. Is that you in

him the way I’d kissed him earlier, before I knew he’d bitten the professor and Cressy or the others. I looked into Andy’s eyes, searching for a green fleck. “I love you.” The vampire frowned. “That’s my

pose, one arm flung casually between the wall and the bed, feeling frantically for the sword I’d hidden there. My hand closed over the blade, and the sharp edges drew blood from my palm.

close and I dropped the sword on his head. He got a little nick where ear and face joined. It didn’t even bleed. So much for the magic sword. Fangs at my neck again, I got ready to

blade seemed sharp enough, but I just couldn’t get the head in one stroke, my hands slippery from the cuts I got picking up the sword from behind the bed. Andy still screamed, head half severed, the neck’s vertebrae all bare and chipped.

carried the head into the bathroom, trying not to look at the still-moving lips and eyes. Lips I’d kissed. Eyes I’d— I threw the head into the tub and waited for the fire Meghan said signaled true

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Numb with shock, I staggered out into

me coming at her with the knife. A thin sound I recognized as an airless scream came from between her dainty little lips. I should have sympathized, but the flinching and screaming hurt my feelings, and

I winced in sympathy and grabbed her elbow. Cressy slumped into my grip for a second. “Pins and needles.” She straightened her spine and stepped back, some rich-girl

lay on the floor for a while until the world tilted right again. “Really? No emergency room? ‘Cause you don’t look so good.” She grimaced, and it took me a second to recognize the attempted smile. “Look who’s

as me. “Uh, 70 Fourth street.” I repeated this to the dispatcher, who made it plain she couldn’t care less while promising a ride in five minutes for fifteen dollars.

I followed Cressy’s gaze down to my bare feet. It didn’t hurt much, but the bloody footprint I’d left on the icy step wasn’t quite right. I looked at my hands where the sword had cut me. Why didn’t I die like Andy had? I shivered. “Forgot my shoes. It’s fine.”

was as scary as Andy. Maybe she was right. Slush splashed over my bare legs as the taxi left the curb. Booker. No telling if Andy’d turned him so I’d better check. Could call

surged through me, sweet electricity, and I became immobile, a slave to the endless cycle of sun and dark. A tree. I’m a tree. Odd dreams trembled through my mind, guilt, passion and revenge. Jim Bob. My

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
I woke to a perfect morning where you

Tree Spirit.” Tree spirit. Meghan. But Meghan without the accent. I thought a moment. Meghan didn’t have an accent because she wasn’t speaking English. I let the cadence

my eyes again. “Yeah, you did great.” That came out more sarcastic than I meant. “Really, Meghan. Thank you.” She skipped. “The vampire is gone and you are all right!”

I dropped my eyes back to my feet. “Ki,” a world of meaning in one word. Meghan put my hand in his, handing off a puppy’s leash. “She needs more help.

not after. Andy. “We both murdered him.” “I wanted him to stop being your lover, but I never wanted him dead.” He settled me into the armchair. A finger tickled my eyelids. “Ki, look at me.”

“Are you nuts? It wouldn’t help. Besides, where would I put it?” “A small one. I’ll have it delivered.” “Just leave.” “I’m not leaving you alone until I

back. When you want me.” I stared straight ahead until the footsteps faded on the stairs. I sat for a long time. Meghan scratched at the window, but I ignored her and it got quiet again.

I showered, stepping carefully into the place Andy’s head had burned, washing and washing even after the water ran ice cold, scrubbing as if I’d never come clean. When my skin turned red and almost raw, I toweled off, shivering. I pulled on some jeans and my

CHAPTER FORTY
My whole body thrummed, unused

probably didn’t involve subject verb agreement. At least I wasn’t further behind in Booker’s class, since I was fairly sure there was no new homework! I hauled my sword into the library,

sunlight. Too much to expect he’d be a sound daytime sleeper. The house numbers too large, I retraced a block. The house I’d passed twinned the one next to it, a modern squared-

face still showed that sense of self that beautiful and ugly girls carry with them, but pretty ones like Cressy never seem to understand. The inappropriate thought she could make a fortune in the phone sex business made me want to giggle. Must be

“Can’t seem to help it.” “Well, good luck.” “I don’t have good luck. Just bad karma.” “Well then, what are you doing? Get

“I just came to see if the poor bastard your boyfriend killed might rise and make trouble for us civilized vamps.” “Will he?” “No. He was still in the box when they

guessed?” I shook my head. “Maybe your Andy had it as an appetizer. Somehow it got Andy’s blood on its paws and it stopped for a wash while it was dying.”

mind. “I’ll keep it. I’ve always wanted a pet, but they don’t live long enough.” The cat locked flat feral eyes onto mine and yowled. Lavina took a paper from a sheaf on

when most people are asleep, but I’ll be awake to keep an eye on him. Most cats are seminocturnal anyway.” Something tickled my memory. “What about the dog?”

right?” I wiped my streaming eyes. “Lavina, is anyone strong enough to take on Cudougnay?” Lavina stopped petting the cat. “Not that I know, Ki girl. Unless it’s you?”

The one thing that could still shock me after everything. “At work?” I echoed stupidly.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
I sipped lukewarm tea at my tiny

“Right.” “Okay. What?” “Well, I have a big project due in a class,” I lied. “It involves photographs. Concept art stuff. I’ll need a big chunk of your

up?” “I’ll come and get you in the Drama Department van.” “Do you even have a license to drive?” “Went and got one for the job. I have

still pretty timely for Jim Bob. Maybe driving helped his sense of purpose. I’d known him to start walking, meet someone on the way and never show up at his destination. Eye-catching behind the wheel, Jim

Jim Bob parked at a small office near the edge of town. He stood beside the van, frozen. “I can’t do this.” I grabbed his arm. “Sure you can. I’m looking forward to hanging out at your place.

Jim Bob and Theron glared at each other. “I’ll need your social security numbers.” Jim Bob wrote his number on the

before,” Jim Bob shook his head. *** Meghan made Jim Bob leery of my place, so I created my mad scientist device at Jim Bob’s apartment over the next couple

Jim Bob grunted politely. “I think it’s great with Lavina, the way she just gets me like no one else.” “Uh, huh.”

“Maybe you’re right.” He sounded downright gloomy, like someone had died. Good, because Jim Bob’s happy plans always fell through. He’d been excited about our future the day he proposed to me. That hadn’t

down at the wire spool nullifying in his lap. “You don’t need me for this part, anyway. I’m just drinking your sodas and talking your ear off. Besides I have work tomorrow.” He started to stand, the wire sliding to the floor.

thanked Lavina. “Funny, when I met Jim Bob I knew he was special. But I didn’t know he’d be my secret weapon.” Lavina laughed, a high-pitched tinkle

as if she meant the opposite. “There is no man for me. Maybe I should just take on the walkers. What could kill them faster than a date with me?” “You make me shudder. I am an

Cudougnay inspired. “If anything happens to Jim Bob—” “I know, you’ll tear out my guts and use them as kite strings.” That used to be my line. It made me feel good to know someone

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
For the second time in my life—the

weak smile. “You okay?” Andy and I had something in common now besides the unethical magic use. Both killers, although to be fair, I’d killed in self-

right mind just then. He must have been on some scary shit toward the last.” The few other mourners eyed us like we might be carriers for the flesh-eating virus that supposedly killed Andy and turned his

potluck luncheon at the church. A red-haired, green-eyed man came up and shook my hand. He wore a wedding band. I wondered if he’d used the old family

was Andy’s girlfriend. He thought I might be pregnant. “No! Uh, no thank you. I’m fine.” I smoothed the thrift-store black polyester skirt over my non-bulging belly. “Nice meeting you, er?” “Ki. Ki Grace.”

Cudougnay’s arms, safe from grief and regret. But we’d screwed things up somehow, and I for one didn’t deserve to live happy ever after. The two charged quartz crystals I wore in a fetish bag around my neck started to tingle

putting men out of their misery these days.” “Very funny.” Jim Bob stopped walking. Forced to approach Cudougnay alone or look cowardly, I kept my head high.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
The ground beneath my feet shifted.

“That’s what you have in mind. Tit for tat. Well, I’ll make it easy for you. You owe me a magical task from back when Andy summoned me. I want you to grant my deepest wish. Right now. Go ahead.”

just couldn’t. Not really. The person I mourn isn’t the lover, but the friend. Think. With him and wanting you, but the spell kept me from leaving him. I put him to the wish test instead. If he really wanted me more than anything, he won the prize. If not, he paid the price.”

just plain wanting. “We can’t just go on as if nothing happened, as if we met yesterday.” “I can. I want you so much. If you can’t, then go ahead and do the spell. Either way, we’ll have our chance. The way it was

“What is your deepest wish, Ki?” I shrugged. “Can’t say.” “Can’t or won’t?” We kissed again, moving together so seamlessly I couldn’t have said who initiated

happy ever after, first with Jim Bob, then Andy, seemed mundane. “At least I knew you were freaky from the start.” Cudougnay’s eyes darkened. Somewhere close lightning flashed, and a

“You’re having a strange effect on me. I have a powerful urge to — ” “To what?” I whispered. “It’s too strange and socially unacceptable. I can’t say it. I’ll just have to

“You didn’t make the wish. He did.” Tears threatened. I sniffed to hold them back. “Keep telling me that. I might believe it someday.” Cudougnay smiled and stroked my

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Meghan gave a cheerful wave from

brand new computer sat on a wheeled caddy facing Meghan’s window. A pile of scribbled notes lay beside it waiting to be turned into legible material. As for the rest nothing much had changed, except that my stash of romance novels now resided at Cudougnay’s house.

manuals and help texts. It certainly kept me from boredom. I stroked the magically charged amult around my neck. As if I weren’t busy enough being ready to drop everything and fix

no real plan for my graduate degree except more of the same. Maybe I pictured teaching classes rather than attending them. I’d clung to academia for the security, the sense of home it gave me. Now Cudougnay was my home, and I was too busy to attend classes. No time to

She stuck her head through the window. “Can I come in?” “You can and you may. Silly.” Meghan crawled in, reminding me with her double jointedness that although she

be, anyway. Last I heard there was still some controversy about which one would wear the dress.” Meghan thought for a minute. “They should have matching dresses.”

Meghan looked at me knowingly, green tinged brows raised. “You have time for other things.” I felt a blush coming on. “Well, yes. But that doesn’t require a trip to the mall for

A horrible suspicion took root. “Meghan, this won’t make Jim Bob and Lavina even more—more passionate will it?” She nodded. “Up and at ‘em. Happy couple.”